Syntax-Pragmatics interface in converbal constructions

Abstract

Converbs are non-finite verb forms which indicate adverbial subordination (Haspelmath 1995). Converbal clauses can occur in chaining constructions, where they are stacked one after the other to advance the narration (Nedjalkov 1995). Bickel (2006) has claimed that there are cross-linguistic occurrences of such constructions, where the scope of an interrogative marker is indeterminate. The chaining constructions in Sakha (Yakut), a Turkic language, show variation in illocutionary scope, which is determined by focus assignment. This study provides a mechanism for deriving Sakha converbs and their interaction in terms of mood and information-structure in chaining constructions.