Non-finiteness and chain-medial clauses in Purepecha

International audienceIn the continuum of finiteness that can characterize the clauses of a language (Givón 2001: 327-387; Bisang 2001: 852-891), Purepecha (isolate) is positioned among the languages in which the predicate of both independent and dependent clauses is generally finite (Chamoreau 2009). Some non-finite dependent clauses have been observed: complement clauses; purpose clauses; and clause-chaining. The predicate is converted to a non-finite form by means of the non-finite marker -ni, without independent specification of tense or aspect. The use of non-finite complement and purpose clauses generally corresponds to referential coherence (co-reference) and temporal-aspectual continuity. The use of non-finite clauses in clause-chaining, especially chain-medial clauses in narratives (Givón 2001: 355-387, Longacre 2007: 372-420), is a phenomenon that appears to be frequent. It does not always correspond to the characteristics of non-finite complement and purpose clauses. Its primary function is to maintain event coherence. Reference tracking is almost always possible, but in specific contexts a new reference may be introduced in non-finite chain-medial clauses (participant discontinuity). Temporal continuity is generally attested, although some exceptions have been found with utterance predicates. Non-finite chain-medial clauses seem to display more finiteness features than the other non-finite clauses. In this talk, I will describe and discuss in detail the uses of non-finite (and finite) chain-medial clauses and the position of these non-finite clauses in the continuum of finiteness in Purepecha