Conditional-Resultative Hypotactic Constructions from the Viewpoint of Evidentiality on the Empirical Material of the Kartvelian Languages1

Abstract

Evidentiality is a universal category, the study of which should be carried out on the grammatical (morphological and syntactic) and lexical levels. The paper analyzes conditional-resultative hypotactic constructions from the viewpoint of evidentiality. Conditional-resultative hypotactic constructions consist of two components – main and subordinate clauses; The condition is given in the subordinate clause, the predicate of which represents the action which serves as a precondition for the fulfillment of the second action. The condition is followed by the result, which is given in the main clause and takes place if the corresponding condition is fulfilled. Such hypotactic construction is based on background knowledge, as the action described in the conditional-resultative sentence implies logical inter-relation between the clauses. The following questions should be answered in this regard: What are the characteristic features of these constructions from the viewpoint of evidentiality? Does the logical relation between the main and subordinate clauses represent a source of information which serves as a basis for evidentiality? Based on the analysis of the empirical material, it can be concluded that hypotactic constructions are evidential if conclusions or assumptions are drawn on the basis of logical conditional-resultative relations (and not perceptive facts), as well as the background knowledge/experience of the speaker. Hypotactic constructions are not evidential unless the logical relation between conditional-resultative clauses implies the above-mentioned nuances, and if only a certain fact, result or appeal is represented. The paper also focuses on the data of other Kartvelian languages and reveals the typology of the Kartvelian languages with regard to the issue under analysis.