Uz-prefixation and dependent future in Croatian

Abstract

This paper deals with a special verb form prefixed with uz- in Croatian. Uz-prefixed present forms from imperfective verbs, known as a functional equivalent to the second future, are rarely used in contemporary Croatian, despite the inclusion of this phenomenon in standard grammars. Based on dialectal as well as diachronic evidence, this paper defines the use of the uz-prefixed present as a remnant of old Štokavian features. Further, connecting this form to the old Czech vz- future, the author argues that it originated from a particular usage of the prefix *vъz- in old Slavic dialects, which originally marked the perfective aspect but became by reanalysis a future marker. The Czech prefix po- used to form the future tense of motion verbs is considered as indicative; similar to the Czech po-, the uz-prefixed present is characterized as a synthetic future imperfective form, but one that is only available in the subordinate clause whose matrix has future reference.

Keywords

• prefix uz-
• the second future
• prefixation
• future in subordinate clauses
• the synthetic future form