Perfects in Baltic and Slavic

The chapter is structured as follows. We first survey Baltic (§2), then Slavic (§3). The internal division of these sections will not be entirely identical, mainly due to the differences between the two groups. Regardless, for each group we first browse through the formal structure and the types of perfects, before we deal with functional differentiation and diachronic matters. In §4 we summarize by taking up the findings of sections §§2-3 and point out parallels and differences in the patterns of rise and change. We also ask for the extent to which perfects in Baltic and Slavic comply with accepted parameters of grammaticalization. We will justify why morphosyntactic parameters are a bad indicator and inquire into possible reasons for the astonishing diachronic stability of resultative perfects in most varieties of both groups