Chapter 4. Nonverbal predication in Kari’nja (Cariban, Suriname)

This paper describes the forms and functions of nonverbal predication in Kari’nja (Cariban, Suriname). Previous descriptions of nonverbal predication in Kari’nja are limited to a single copular form, and make only passing mention of a subset of functions. Kari’nja employs the copula, as well as apposition (without a copula), and a verbal copula. Formally, each of the three nonverbal predicate structures differs in terms of person marking, negation, TAM, number, interrogative forms, and the types of complements it permits. In addition to structural characteristics, each construction differs in terms of which functional categories it encodes. This paper describes the formal properties and functional motivation for using each available construction in Kari’nja. It thereby provides a more complete analysis of the Kari’nja system specifically, examines the typological characteristics of nonverbal predication more generally, and contributes to our understanding of the ways in which systems can vary and change.

• Affiliations: 1: University of Oklahoma