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Abstract: The temporal-aspectual system of the Qixian dialect, a Jin Chinese variety spoken in Shanxi Province, consists of two interrelated subsystems: a tense system and an aspect system, each exhibiting distinct yet overlapping grammatical functions. The tense system is tripartite, encoding past, present, and future temporal references through dedicated morphological and syntactic markers. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of these tense markers, elucidating their core grammatical functions while also demonstrating their secondary role in expressing modality, particularly in evidentiality and speaker attitude. The aspect system is further subdivided into dynamic and situational aspects, reflecting different dimensions of event structure. The dynamic aspect comprises four primary categories: perfective (denoting completed actions), durative (indicating ongoing states), experiential (marking past experiences), and continuative (expressing sustained or initiated actions). Notably, the continuative aspect bifurcates into inceptive (onset of an action) and persistive (continuation of a state) subcategories. Meanwhile, the situational aspect encodes four distinct event perspectives: the perfect (already realized), past experiential (formerly occurred), prospective (anticipated), and progressive (currently unfolding). A key finding of this study is the systematic interaction between tense and situational aspect in Qixian dialect, wherein grammatical markers frequently serve dual functions across these categories. This functional overlap suggests a tightly integrated temporal-aspectual framework, where tense distinctions often co-occur with aspectual nuances. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that aspectual markers exhibit greater syntactic flexibility than tense markers, allowing for pragmatic extensions into modal and discourse functions. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the grammaticalization pathways in Jin dialects and offer comparative insights into the broader typology of Chinese temporal-aspectual systems.Abstract: The temporal-aspectual system of the Qixian dialect, a Jin Chinese variety spoken in Shanxi Province, consists of two interrelated subsystems: a tense system and an aspect system, each exhibiting distinct yet overlapping grammatical functions. The tense system is tripartite, encoding past, present, and future temporal references through dedicated m...Learn More
Abstract: In the modern Uighur language, the verb "bɑr-" is a complex term and a common polysemous word that is easy to cause mistranslation. The various grammatical meanings expressed are initially explored and attempted to be analyzed with the usage in modern Uighur standard language. In modern Uighur, the lexical item “bɑr-” exhibits dual grammatical functions (as both a main verb and an auxiliary verb). Furthermore, grammaticalization strategies may vary across languages. Through examining the grammaticalization pathways of different word classes, we observe that languages adopt diverse and heterogeneous grammaticalization mechanisms. This phenomenon is not only prevalent in modern languages but also widely attested in ancient languages. Specifically, modern Uighur demonstrates instances where verbs and nouns evolve into tense markers, yet these pathways contrast sharply with the broader patterns of grammaticalization in Uighur. For example, while grammaticalization pathways exist in Uighur where verbs develop into tense markers (e.g., “bɑr-”), the direct grammaticalization of nouns into tense markers has not been observed. Compared to the grammaticalization of other word classes, the grammaticalization of verbs is the most complex, often involving multilayered semantic and functional shifts. Consequently, systematically reconstructing their developmental trajectories poses significant challenges. This paper focuses on the high-frequency Uyghur verb "bɑr-" and attempts to explore its grammaticalization pathway from ancient times to the present. The analysis of "bɑr-"—a polysemous word with complex meanings such as "go" and "achieve"—poses significant challenges in accurate translation due to its multiple interpretations. The study provides a preliminary discussion on the various grammatical meanings expressed by this verb and seeks to examine its usage in comparison with modern standard Uyghur. Additionally, it explores and attempts to deconstruct the functional evolution of “bɑr-” as a verb within syntactic structures.Abstract: In the modern Uighur language, the verb "bɑr-" is a complex term and a common polysemous word that is easy to cause mistranslation. The various grammatical meanings expressed are initially explored and attempted to be analyzed with the usage in modern Uighur standard language. In modern Uighur, the lexical item “bɑr-” exhibits dual grammatical func...Learn More
