Abstract

CARRIO, Cintia. EXISTENTIALS AND QUANTIFIERS IN MOCOVÍ (GUAYCURÚ, ARGENTINA). Forma funcion, Santaf, de Bogot, D.C. [online]. 2019, vol.32, n.2, pp.19-39. ISSN 0120-338X.  https://doi.org/10.15446/fyf.v32n2.80813.

The Mocoví language features an element to which we attribute the categorial status of (defective) verb, although previous bibliography has dealt with it as an «existential particle». It is a productive form that appears in different morphological and syntactical processes, allowing for different readings: presentative-locative, identificative, possessive, causative, change of state, and attributive, through secondary predication. The unmarked form belongs to the class of una ccusative verbs and presupposes a connection with an entity or place regarding which the lack or presence or something is predicated. Three non-allomorphic affirmative forms and a negative form were identified. The materialization of the existential is linked to contexts quantified by different elements. The objective of the study is to expand the knowledge regarding the behavior of existential constructions, as well as of the little studied quantificational constructions, in order to organize the lexical and grammatical system of quantification, beginning with the examination of contexts linked to existential constructions.

Keywords : determination; morphosyntax; South American languages; defective verbs; numerals.

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