Abstract
A survey of the functions of the existential verb in Chinese in temporal and spatial perspectives reveals a closer typological similarity between the oracle-bone inscription language and the Southern Sinitic languages, and a grammaticalization process observable from archaic time shows the formation of a marker for ‘affirming existence’ which provides residual evidence in the Book of Odes and the Eastern Min dialects for possible language contact between a ‘to-have’ language and a ‘to-be’ language.
Full Text 
Sign-in/Register to access full text options
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Published version (
Free)
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
