Title of Research Project

Investigating Manchu Converb from a Diachronic Cross-linguistic Perspective

Name

Luopeng Zheng, University of San FranciscoFollow

Major

Asian Studies

Research Abstract

Abstract

This thesis investigates Manchu converbs from a diachronic cross-linguistic perspective. This thesis is based on the assumption that function words are not loanwords because of the conservative nature of syntax in general. Secondly, it is assumed that one word is the same as the other word if 1) both share similar or same syntactical functions, 2) both share similar or same phonological features, and 3) both have overlapping semantic fields.

It proposes that Manchu phrases headed by converbs should not be regarded as AdvP or a degree word. Rather, Manchu converbal phrases are essentially ConvPs. Evidences supporting this conclusion are two folds. First of all, analogous converbs in Korean and Japanese suggest that Manchu converbs are also ConvPs. Secondly, the analytical problems occurred when Manchu converbal phrases are regarded as AdvP or degree words also suggest that Manchu converbal phrases should be regarded as ConvPs.

Keywords: Converb, Manchu, Altaic Languages, Category of Speech

Faculty Mentor/Advisor

Zhiqiang Li