Studies in African Linguistics (Dec 1991)

The conditional particle ka in Waama.pdf

  • Jennifer Rowe

DOI
https://doi.org/10.32473/sal.v22i3.107421
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 3

Abstract

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The particle ka in Waama has an underlying conditional function, and serves most frequently to set up possible worlds in the minds of interlocutors. By virtue of its function as a conditional, it can also mark topics. It occurs as the basis of conditional-type structures, including conditionals, contrafactuals, and concessions. It also serves to express options, exceptions, and complements of some verbs of uncertainty. When functioning within a discourse, ka may also serve to introduce an adverbial time clause which recapitulates given information.

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