Negation in the Huarpean Languages: Millcayac and Allentiac

Abstract

This study describes and compares standard negation in the Huarpean languages, Millcayac and Allentiac. Furthermore, it proposes possible diachronic paths that led to the synchronic stage described herein and identifies possible contact-induced changes. This synchronic description is based on the revision and analysis of the grammars, vocabularies, and religious texts written by Luis de Valdivia. The features considered are (1) type of negative marker, (2) order of negative marker and verb, (3) structure of the negative construction, and (4) type of prohibitive constructions. The analysis shows that standard negation in Allentiac is expressed by a preverbal particle and has a symmetric structure. In Millcayac, standard negation is expressed by suffixation and has an asymmetric structure. In terms of diachrony, it is proposed that Allentiac is more conservative, and Millcayac’s divergence could have been accelerated by contact with Mapudungun. This study is a contribution to the description of these under-studied languages.