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On the Syntax and Semantics of Evidentials
Article first published online: 25 AUG 2008
DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-818X.2008.00069.x
© 2008 The Author. Journal Compilation © 2008 Blackwell Publishing Ltd
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How to Cite
Speas, P. (2008), On the Syntax and Semantics of Evidentials. Language and Linguistics Compass, 2: 940–965. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-818X.2008.00069.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 29 SEP 2008
- Article first published online: 25 AUG 2008
- Language and Linguistics Compass 2/5 (2008): 940–965, 10.1111/j.1749-818x.2008.00069.x
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Abstract
In some languages, every declarative sentence includes a morpheme specifying the speaker's evidence or source of information. This article provides an overview of the central theoretical questions addressed in recent research on Evidential morphemes. First, I discuss the question of whether Evidentials constitute a coherent closed-class system, independent of other systems of grammar. Next, I briefly consider the evidence for an Evidential head in the syntactic representation. Finally, I review the ways in which Evidentials resemble and differ from epistemic modals.