Article published In: Proper Names:
Edited by Chia-Jung Pan and Yang Huang
[Asian Languages and Linguistics 6:1] 2025
► pp. 63–97
The grammar of proper names in Mebzang nDrapa
Published online: 19 August 2025
https://doi.org/10.1075/alal.25016.hua
https://doi.org/10.1075/alal.25016.hua
Abstract
This paper investigates the intricate grammar of proper names within the Mebzang nDrapa language, a highly endangered Tibeto-Burman language spoken by a small community in western Sichuan province, China. The research meticulously examines the classes of proper names, as well as the morphological, syntactic, and semantic dimensions of proper names in Mebzang nDrapa. It offers a detailed account of their structure, usage, and cultural significance. A comparison of the morphosyntactic properties of proper names and common nouns reveals that proper names exhibit defective in inflectional potential. Proper names possess unique grammatical properties and a more limited inventory of forms than common nouns. In Mebzang nDrapa, a significant proportion of proper names facilitates communication more effectively than common nouns, as they offer immediate definite referents. Meanwhile, the adoption of proper names from Tibetan and Chinese through a long-term causal language contact has been examined in this paper.
Keywords: proper names, Mebzang nDrapa, Qiangic language, morphosyntax, loanwords
Article outline
- 1.The nDrapa language and its genetic classification
- 2.Basic structures of noun phrase in nDrapa — setting the scene
- 3.Classes of proper names in nDrapa
- 3.1Proper names for personal and places names
- 3.2Proper names for specific locations
- 3.3Proper names-like reference: Kinships
- І.Age and sex according to generation
- II.Kin via spousal and in-law relationships
- III.Kinship terms in the vocative case
- IV.Sex of speakers
- 4.The morphology of proper nouns in nDrapa
- 4.1The kinship prefix -a
- 4.2The gender affixes -mphe, -me, phu- and mu-
- 4.3The diminutive suffix -zɨ
- 4.4The number suffix -re
- 4.5Compounding the proper nouns
- 5.The syntax of proper names within the noun phrase
- 5.1The definite marker
- 5.2Classifiers
- І.tɛ́hʨy and táhpa
- II.táʂtu and tápu
- III.tɛ́ji and táza
- 5.3Demonstratives
- 6.The syntax of proper nouns within the clause
- 6.1Anti-ergative case
- 6.2Dative
- 7.The borrowing of proper names in nDrapa
- 8.Concluding remarks
- Acknowledgements
- Notes
- Abbreviations
References
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