Evidentiality and epistemic modality in the Andean Spanish verb

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is twofold: first, it assesses the discussion about evidentiality and epistemic modality in the Andean Spanish verb as a set of hypothetical contact-induced changes due to the influence of Quechua and Aymara, and, second, it suggests new avenues for enhancing and strengthening this area of research. In order to do this, it reviews the studies conducted about the links between evidentiality and epistemic modality, on the one hand, and verbal forms such as the pluperfect, the present perfect, the future, and the subjunctive perfect correlated with verbs in the present tense, on the other. The review focuses on studies that address hypothetical contact-induced processes, since its aim is to examine the arguments that relate these elements with their possible Quechua and Aymara sources. The chapter suggests that some of the Andean uses pertain to the epistemic modality terrain (pluperfect for “non-experienced past” and present perfect for “experienced past”), while others are included in the evidentiality arena (inferential uses of the future forms), or plainly lack any relationship with these dimensions (subjunctive perfect correlated with verbs in the present tense).