Marking of deontic modality in paresi

Abstract

In this article, we present a description and analysis of the maika particle in Paresi, an indigenous language spoken by approximately 3000 people in the state of Mato Grosso. Our research was based on data taken from texts or given by consultants who were Paresi native speakers. Our theoretical framework consisted on the studies of Brennan (1993), Hacquard (2006, 2010), Palmer (1986), von Fintel (2006), Pires de Oliveira and Rech (2016) and Rech and Varaschin (2017, forthcoming). We found out Paresi presents distinct markers for deontic and epistemic modalities. These are expressed through the particles: maika and kala, respectively. Our analysis, still in an initial stage, indicates maika corresponds to a particle that indicates ought-to-be deontic modality, when it occurs with the second person; and ought-to-do, when it occurs with the third person.

Keywords

• Paresi
• Modalidade deôntica
• Sintaxe
• Semântica