The central topic of this study is to investigate three-and four-place predicate in Yaqui, which are characterized by having multiple object arguments. As with other Southern Uto-Aztecan languages, it has been said that Yaqui follows the Primary/Secondary Object pattern (Dryer 1986). Actually, Yaqui presents three patterns: verbs like nenka 'sell' follow the direct-indirect object pattern, verbs like miika 'give' follow the primary object pattern, and verbs like chijakta 'sprinkle' follow the locative alternation pattern; the primary object pattern is the exclusive one found with derived verbs. This paper shows that the contrast between direct object and primary object languages is not absolute but rather one of degree, and hence two "object" selection principles are needed to explain this mixed system. The two principles are not limited to Yaqui but are found in other languages as well, including English.

Typological studies have tended to take for granted the default interpretation for English and imposed ‘simultaneity’ as the basic meaning of when-clauses for all languages. This in opposition to the approach taken in reference grammars, which generally report temporal linkage markers like when as encoding one or several meanings. Data from languages other than English show that comparative studies should also be open to the possibility that when-clauses do not always, or only, denote simultaneity. To support this claim and argue against the default interpretation of simultaneity, in this study I explore the range of temporal meanings of when-clauses across languages and provide evidence from Spanish and Yaqui corpora. Unlike English, corpus-based studies show that Spanish equivalent cuando-clauses equally introduce simultaneous and sequential readings, while Yaqui o-/kai-clauses predominantly express sequential meanings. Furthermore, a convenience sample of 28 unrelated languages reveals that, if there is a when-clause in a language, it can locate the event of the adverbial clause earlier, later, or around the same time as the main clause. The analysis of the semantic side of when-clauses demonstrates that there are language-specific tendencies regarding their temporal meanings. On these grounds, I propose that a better understanding of when-clauses can be arrived at by classifying them as ‘unspecific’ temporal clauses. This categorization would motivate a richer analysis of new data and a systematic comparison between unspecific, simultaneous and sequential clauses. Finally, I advance a four-way classification regarding general versus specific markers, and the temporal relations they encode, two of which account for most languages analyzed.

No abstract

La naturaleza de las frases locativas en construcciones de movimiento en yaquiABSTRACT: This article examines the spatial relations associated to motion constructions in Yaqui (Uto-Aztecan, Mexico). The aim of this paper is to examine the formal codification of place, source and goal notions, as well as the possible combinations between verb types and types of locative phrases. It is shown that Yaqui neutralizes the formal distinction between place and source, a very uncommon pattern in languages of the world. Based on the combinations found, two subtypes of manner of motion predicates are established, in terms of their (in)compatibility with phrases expressing goal or source (i.e., telic locative phrases). KEYWORDS: Motion verbs; Locative phrases; Satellite-frame; Yaqui. RESUMEN:Este artículo explora la naturaleza de las relaciones espaciales asociadas a construcciones de movimiento en la lengua yaqui (yutoazteca, México), con el fin de indagar la codificación formal de las nociones de lugar, fuente y meta, así como las posibles combinaciones entre los tipos de verbos y los tipos de locación. Los resultados de este estudio muestran que el yaqui neutraliza la distinción entre fuente y locación, un patrón muy poco frecuente en las lenguas del mundo. Además, a partir de las asociaciones encontradas en corpus, se distinguen dos subgrupos de verbos de manera de movimiento dada su (in)compatibilidad con frases locativas dinámicas que expresan meta u origen (i.e. trayectorias télicas).

The complements of “want” predicate may vary depending on the identity of the main and the dependent subjects. When identical, five main tendencies are found cross-linguistically: (i) the dependent subject is omitted, (ii) the dependent subject is overtly expressed, (iii) “want” is a desiderative affix or (iv) an uninflected particle, and (v) there are alternative choices (Haspelmath 2005). Using data from the Uto-Aztecan family, this article focuses on one of the less common means, the co-existence of alternative expressions. The analysis provides an account for this phenomenon in light of the Interclausal Relations Hierarchy (Van Valin 2005): whenever there are available structures in a language, the tightest linkage encodes intention, and the less tight expresses different mental states.