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In:The Documentarist Turn: From observable linguistic behaviour to typological generalizations
Edited by Sonja Riesberg, Uta Reinöhl and Birgit Hellwig
[Studies in Language Companion Series 240] 2026
► pp. 786–814

Chapter 28
On similarity, mistake, and belief revision

The case of yimarne(k) in Kunbarlang

ORCiD logo with link | University of Cologne
ORCiD logo with link | KU Leuven
This content is being prepared for publication; it may be subject to changes.
Abstract
The marker yimarne(k) in Kunbarlang can be used to signal “mistaken belief”, whereby a proposition held as a belief at some point is now considered false. The various functions and formal types of expressions yimarne(k) combines with point to an analysis in terms of two separate markers, a short form with a core function of marking similarity, and a long form expressing counterfactuality. This suggests that the long form’s mistaken belief use might stem from an original similarity marker with an added element of unclear origin. To further assess the potential pathway whereby a similative acquires counterfactual uses including mistaken belief, we compare the case of yimarne(k) to attested markers of mistaken belief both within the Gunwinyguan family and beyond.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Primary data
    • 2.1Kunbarlang
    • 2.2Data set and annotation
  • 3.Attested distribution: Yimarnek and yimarne
    • 3.1Distribution: Scope and mood
    • 3.2Distribution: Range of attested functions
    • 3.3Summary
  • 4.Similarity and mistake in Gunwinyguan and other Australian languages
    • 4.1Gunwinyguan: Semblative to counterfactual
    • 4.2Karnic and Tangkic: Counterfactual to semblative?
    • 4.3Taking stock and looking ahead
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • Abbreviations
  • References
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