Article published In: Linguistics of the Tibeto-Burman Area
Vol. 43:1 (2020) ► pp.124–146
Expressing negative meaning in Liangmai
Published online: 28 August 2020
https://doi.org/10.1075/ltba.19008.dai
https://doi.org/10.1075/ltba.19008.dai
Abstract
The paper presents an overview of negative expression in Liangmai, an under-described Tibeto-Burman language,
primarily spoken in the Northeast Indian states of Manipur and Nagaland. There are two ways of negative formation in the language:
(i) by suffixing negative markers to the main verb, and (ii) by the use of negative particles. The main negative suffixes in
Liangmai are -mak, mainly used with realis constructions; -lak, used mainly with irrealis
constructions; and -tu/-du with imperative, giving a prohibitive meaning. Negative particles used in the language
include ha, which is a negative existential and raó, used to express ‘undesirability’.
Additionally, a negative interjection hái is used frequently in the language as a negative answer to a question
or to contradict a statement perceived to be incorrect. Negative polarity items are form by suffixing -dí to
nominal stems and numerals. The present paper offers a descriptive account of negation in Liangmai, providing an overview of
various constructions, namely, declarative, interrogative, imperative, relative and hortative, with negative polarity in the
language.
Keywords: Liangmai, Tibeto-Burman, negation, declarative, imperative, relative
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Liangmai word classes
- 3.Mood and negation in Liangmai
- 4.Liangmai negative markers
- 5.Clausal negation: -mak and -lak
- 5.1Declarative clauses
- 5.2Interrogative clauses
- 5.2.1Yes-no question
- 5.2.2Wh- question
- 5.3Relative clauses
- 5.4Hortative clauses
- 5.5Imperative clauses
- 6.Prohibitive -tu~-du
- 6.1Inhibitive -niù
- 7.Other negative particles
- 7.1Negative existential copula ha
- 7.2Negative interjection há
- 7.3Particle raó
- 8.Negation in conditional statements: Unless…not
- 9.Negative polarity item
- 10.Double negation
- 10.1Declarative clauses: -mak and -mak
- 10.2Declarative clauses: -lak and -mak
- 10.3Imperative clausse: -mak and -tu
- 11.Conclusion
- Notes
- Abbreviations
References
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