The Distinction Between Synchronous and Retrospective Inferences in Uzbek:

Abstract

This paper investigates the inferentials shekilli and -(i)bdi in a written corpus of modern Uzbek with consideration of native speakers’ opinions on the interpretation of specific uses of these items. As a result of the analysis, these inferentials are used to distinguish synchronic or a priori evidence and a posteriori evidence respectively in the Uzbek evidential system. Although both inferentials have developed from markers encodingobservable evidence that is related to a propositional event, the characteristics of the evidence forming the basis of the proposition differ. While -(i)bdi encodes inference based on traces that are interpreted as a posteriori evidence, which remains after the actualization of the event, shekilli is used for propositions based on signs that are synchronically present, or a priori evidence in cases without clear evidence at the time of speaking. Based on these two types of indirect evidence, speakers can mark synchronic and retrospective inferences in the Uzbek language with these two inferentials. Considering the evidential system in Turkic languages, Uzbek, which is considered the continuation of Chagatay, has a relatively rich evidential system that includes different markers with specific semantic tasks. Furthermore, this research shows that in Uzbek’s comprehensive evidential system, copying items can also develop as evidential in addition to evidentials of Turkic origin.