Cover not available

Article published In: Linguistics of the Tibeto-Burman Area
Vol. 46:2 (2023) ► pp.165–200

Get fulltext from our e-platform
JBE logo with link
PDF logo with download linkDownload PDF
EPUB logo with download linkDownload EPUB
authorization required

Verb stem alternations in Pingwu Baima

 | CRLAO-EHESS-INALCOParis
 | Nankai University
Published online: 9 November 2023
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/ltba.22016.chi
Abstract
This paper focuses on stem alternations in Pingwu Baima (Tibetic). It examines a larger corpus of data than the corpora in previous works and systematically relates alternating verbs to classical WT paradigms. Our data reveal a relatively high number of alternating verbs in Baima, with verbs with two stems constituting the absolute majority of all alternating verbs. A systematic comparison of alternating verbs to classical WT paradigms confirms that stem alternations in Baima regularly reflect OT verb morphology. Such a comparison also reveals a clear tendency toward elimination in Baima of a separate imperative stem of classical paradigms. This tendency toward elimination of the imperative stem has not been commonly reported in modern Tibetic languages. An examination of Baima verb stem alternation in the context of its neighboring Tibetic and non-Tibetic varieties suggests language contact as a possible trigger for this development.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Data and methodology
  • 3.Morphology of verb alternation in Baima
  • 4.Baima verb stem alternation in the context of the neighboring non-Tibetic varieties
  • 5.Summary and conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
References (52)
References
Awang Cuocheng 阿旺措成 [Ngag dbang Tshul krims, Zanla Awang Cuocheng赞拉·阿旺措成] & Wang Jianmin 王建民. 1988. Baima Zangqu yuyan diaocha jishi 白马藏区语言调查纪实 [Report on the language survey of the Baima Tibetans]. Xinan Minzu Xueyuan Xuebao (Zhexue Kexueban) 《西南民族学院学报（哲学科学版）》 [Journal of the Southwestern Institute for National Minorities (Philosophy and science edition)]. Minzu Yuyan Wenxue Yanjiu Zhuanji 民族语言文学研究专辑, 61.11–32, 581.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Beckwith, Christopher I. 1996. The Morphological argument for the existence of Sino-Tibetan. Pan-Asiatic Linguistics: Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Languages and Linguistics, January 8–10, 1996, Bangkok. Vol. III1, 812–826.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Beyer, Stephen. 1992. The Classical Tibetan language. Albany: State University of New York Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Bielmeier, Roland, Chungda Haller, Felix Haller, Katrin Häsler, Veronika Hein, Brigitte Huber, Thomas Preiswerk, Ngawang Tsering & Marianne Volkart. 2018. Comparative dictionary of Tibetan dialects. Vol. 21, Verbs. Berlin & Boston: De Gruyter Mouton. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Causemann, Margret. 1989. Dialekt und Erzählungen der Nangchenpas. (Beitrage zur tibetischen Erzählforschung, 11.) Bonn: VGH Wissenschaftsverlag. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Chirkova, Katia. 2005. Baima nominal postpositions and their etymology. Linguistics of the Tibeto-Burman Area 28(2).1–41. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
. 2008. On the position of Báimǎ within Tibetan: A Look from basic vocabulary. In Alexander Lubotsky, Jos Schaeken & Jeroen Wiedenhof (eds.), Evidence and counter-evidence : Festschrift Frederik Kortlandt, Vol. II1: General linguistics, 69–91. Amsterdam: Rodopi. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
. 2017. Evidentials in Pingwu Baima. In Lauren Gawne & Nathan W. Hill (eds.), Evidential systems of Tibetan languages, 445–459. Berlin & Boston: De Gruyter Mouton. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
. 2021. Tonal developments in Baima. Paper presented at the Sixth Workshop on Sino-Tibetan Languages of Southwest China, Kobe City University of Foreign Studies, Kobe, Japan, September 7–11, 2021.
. Forthcoming. Pitch, vowel duration, and phonation in Baima and neighboring languages. Language & Linguistics.
Chikova, Katia, Tanja Kocjančic Antolík & Angélique Amelot. 2021. Baima (Illustrations of the IPA). Journal of the International Phonetic Association, 1–30. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Coblin, Weldon South. 1976. Notes on Tibetan verbal morphology. T’oung Pao 621.45–70. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Dahl, Östen. 1985. Tense and aspect systems. Oxford: Basil Blackwell.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Dai, Qingxia 戴庆厦, Huang Bufan 黃布凡, Xu Shouchun 许寿椿, Chen Jiaying 陈嘉瑛 & Wang Huiyin 王会银. 1992. Zang-Mian Yuzu Yuyan Cihui 《藏缅语族语言词汇》 [A Tibeto-Burman lexicon]. Beijing: Zhongyang Minzu Daxue 中央民族大学出版社.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Dpal khang lo tsa ba, bstan ’dzin rgyal mtshan, kun bzang rnam rgyal / 贝康译师 Beikang Yishi. 1991. ngag sgron rtsa ’grel dang de’i yang ’grel / Yudeng xiang shi 《语灯详释》. Beijing: Minzu Chubanshe 民族出版社.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Evans, Jonathan P. & Jackson T.-S. Sun. 2015. Qiāng 羌 language. In Rint Sybesma (editor-in-chief), Encyclopedia of Chinese language and linguistics. Brill Reference Online. (Accessed 25 May 2021.)Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Fulk, R. D. 2018. A comparative grammar of the early Germanic languages. (Studies in Germanic Linguistics 3.) Amsterdam & Philadelphia: John Benjamins. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Gesang Jumian 格桑居冕 skal bzang ’gyur med & Gesang Yangjing 格桑央京 skal bzang dbyangs chan. 2002. Zangyu Fangyan Gailun 《藏语方言概论》 [An introduction to Tibetan dialects]. Beijing: Nationalities Press 民族出版社.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Hill, Nathan W. 2010. A lexicon of Tibetan verb stems as reported by the Grammatical Tradition, Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
2014. Sino-Tibetan: Part 2, Tibetan. In Rochelle Lieber & Pavol Štekauer (eds.), The Oxford handbook of derivational morphology, 620–630. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
2019. The historical phonology of Tibetan, Burmese, and Chinese. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Hock, Hans Henrich. 1991. Principles of historical linguistics. Second revised and updated edition. Berlin & New York: Mouton de Gruyter. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Hu, Tan 胡坦. 1991. Zangyu 《藏語》 [The Tibetan language]. In Ma Xueliang 馬學良 (ed.), Han-Zangyu Gailun 《漢藏語概論》 [A general introduction to Sino-Tibetan languages], Vol. 21, 109–207. Beijing 北京: Beijing Daxue Chubanshe 北京大學出版社.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Hua, Kan 華侃 & Gazangta 嘎藏他. 1997. Zangyu Songpanhua de yinxi he yuyin de lishi yanbian 藏語松潘話的音系和語音的歷史演變 [Sound system of Songpan Tibetan and its historical development]. Zhongguo Zangxue 《中國藏學》 [Tibetology in China] 29(2).134–144.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Huang, Bufan 黄布凡 & Zhang Minghui 张明慧. 1995. Baima zhishu wenti yanjiu 白马话支属问题研究 [A study of the genetic affiliation of Baima]. Zhongguo Zangxue 《中国藏学》 [Tibetology in China] 21.79–118.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Jacques, Guillaume. 2015. Rgyalrong Language. In Rint Sybesma (editor-in-chief), Encyclopedia of Chinese language and linguistics. Brill Reference Online. (Accessed 25 May 2021.)Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
. 2021. A grammar of Japhug. (Comprehensive Grammar Library 1.) Berlin: Language Science Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Mkhyen rab ’od gsal / 钦绕威色 Qinrao Weise. 1976. rtags kyi ‘jug pa’i dka’ ’grel gand kyi sgron me / Zangwen Dongci Shinan 《藏文动词释难》 [Interpretation of rTags ’jug]. Sichuan: Sichuan Minzu Chubanshe 四川民族出版社.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Nishida, Tatsuo 西田龍雄 & Sun Hongkai 孙宏开. 1990. Hakuba yakugo no kenkyū: Hakuba no kōzō to keitō 《白馬譯語の研究: 白馬語の構造と系统》 [A study of the Baima-Chinese vocabulary ‘Baima yiyu’: the structure and affiliation of the Baima language]. Kyoto 京都: Shokado 松香堂.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Pad ma dbang grags sogs kyis bsgrigs 白马翁召等编. 2015. dus gsum gshib bsdur bkod khra blo gsar ′jug lde / 《藏文动词对比集》 Zangwen dongci duibiji. Beijing: Minzu Chubanshe 民族出版社.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Skal bzang ye shes 格桑悦希 / Gesang Yuexi et al. 1958. Dus gsum gyi rnam gzhag blo mun sel ba’i ’od snang / Zangwen dongci bianhuabiao 《藏文动词变化表》 [Conjugation table of Tibetan verbs]. Beijing: Minzu Chubanshe 民族出版社.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Sun, Hongkai 孙宏开. 1980a. Baima ren de yuyan 白马人的语言 [The language of the Baima people]. In Sichuan Institute of Minority Nationalities 四川民族研究所编 (eds.), Baima Zangren Zushu Wenti Taolunji 白马藏人族属问题讨论集 [A collection of discussions on the question of the ethnic classification of Baima Tibetans], 15–25. Chengdu: Sichuan Minzu Yanjiusuo.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
. 1980b. Lishi shang de Dizu he Chuan Gan diqu de Baima ren 历史上的氐族和川甘地区的白马人 [The Di people of historical records and the Baima people of Sichuan and Gansu]. Minzu Yanjiu 《民族研究》 [Nationalities Studies] 31.33–43.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
. 2003. Is Baima a dialect or vernacular of Tibetan? Cahiers de linguistique Asie Orientale 32(1).61–81.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Sun, Hongkai 孙宏开, Katia Chirkova 齐卡佳 & Liu Guangkun 刘光坤. 2007. Baimayu Yanjiu 《白马语研究》 [A Grammar of Baima]. Beijing: Minzu Chubanshe 民族出版社.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Sun, Jackson T.-S. 1993. Evidentials in Amso Tibetan. The Bulletin of the Institute of History and Philology, Academia Sinica, 631.945–1001.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
2003. Phonological profile of Zhongu: A new Tibetan dialect of Northern Sichuan. Language and Linguistics 4(4).769–836.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
2004. Verb-stem variations in Showu rGyalrong. In Ying-chin Lin, Fang-min Hsu, Chun-chih Lee, Jackson T.-S. Sun, Hsiu-fang Yang & Dah-an Ho (eds.), Studies on Sino-Tibetan languages: Papers in honor of Professor Hwang-cherng Gong on his seventieth birthday, 269–296. (Language and Linguistics Monograph Series W-4.) Taipei: Institute of Linguistics, Academia Sinica.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
2006. Special Linguistic features of gSerpa Tibetan. Linguistics of the Tibeto-Burman Area 29(1).107–126.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
2007. Perfective stem renovation in Khalong Tibetan. In Roland Bielmeier & Felix Haller (eds.), Linguistics of the Himalayas and beyond, 323–340. Berlin & New York: Mouton de Gruyter. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(ed.). 2014a. Phonological profiles of little-studied Tibetic varieties (Language and Linguistics Monograph Series 55). Taipei: Academia Sinica, Institute of Linguistics.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(ed.). 2014b. Sino Tibetan: Part 3, Rgyalrong. In Rochelle Lieber & Pavol Štekauer (eds.), The Oxford handbook of derivational morphology, 631–651. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Sun, Jackson T.-S. 孙天心. 2016. 汉藏语动词词干变化的类型观察 [Stem alternation in the Sino-Tibetan verb: A typological overview]. In Li Chunfeng 李春风等 (eds.) 编, Dai Qingxia Bashi Shouchen Jikan 《戴庆厦八十寿辰集刊》 [Festschrift for Dai Qingxia on his 80th Birthday]. Beijing: Beijing Huawen Xueyuan 北京华文学院.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Sun, Jackson T.-S. 2021. Gser-Rdo: A new Tibetic language across the Rngaba-Dkarmdzes border. Manuscript.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Suzuki, Hiroyuki. 2015. An introduction to the tonogenesis triggered by breathy voice: 對舟曲藏語超音段音素的新見解——被氣聲引起的聲調發生論. Bulletin of Chinese Linguistics 8(1).117–139. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Tournadre, Nicolas. 2013. The Tibetic languages and their classification. In Thomas Owen-Smith & Nathan W. Hill (eds.), Trans-Himalayan linguistics: Historical and descriptive linguistics of the Himalayan area (Trends in Linguistics Studies and Monographs Vol. 266), 105–129. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Wylie, Turrell. 1959. A standard system of Tibetan transcription. Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies 221.261–267. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Zeisler, Bettina. 2004. Relative tense and aspectual values in Tibetan languages. A comparative study (Trends in Linguistics, Studies and Monographs 150). Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Zhang, Jichuan 张济川. 1994a. Baimahua yu Zangyu (shang) 白马话与藏语 （上） [Baima and Tibetan, Part 1]. Minzu Yuwen 《民族语文》 [Minority Languages of China] 21.11–24.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
. 1994b. Baimahua yu Zangyu (xia) 白马话与藏语 （下） [Baima and Tibetan, Part 1]. Minzu Yuwen 《民族语文》 [Minority Languages of China] 31.58–67.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Zhang, Jichuan. 1997. Particularités phonétiques du Baima. Cahiers de linguistique — Asie Orientale 26(1).131–153. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Zhang, Liansheng. 1986. The puzzle of da-drag in Tibetan. Linguistics of the Tibeto-Burman Area, 9(1).47–64.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Mobile Menu Logo with link to supplementary files background Layer 1 prag Twitter_Logo_Blue