Khaling

This paper shows the existence of an auditory demonstrative in Khaling. The use of the demonstrative is illustrated via examples taken from narrative discourse. It is described here within the context of the spatial demonstrative system, in order to demonstrate how it is specifically used to highlight that perception of the referent is attained using the sense of audition, regardless of the visibility of the object in question. Khaling appears to be unique in having a true auditory demonstrative and it is hoped that this description will prompt field linguists to refine the description of the contrasts found within the demonstrative systems of languages around the world.

This article proposes an idealized model of direct-inverse systems inspired by canonical morphology, against which attested systems are then evaluated in terms of their deviation from it. A language-independent definition of obviation is provided, and then applied to language families other than Algonquian. Referential hierarchies are shown not to be the only way of accounting for direct-inverse systems. Finally, the article surveys the attested origins of inverse systems and the ways in which they can be further reanalyzed, ultimately leading to their decay.

This article presents a comprehensive description of the Khaling intransitive and transitive verbal paradigms, focusing on the complex system of stem alternations, which is unmatched in the Sino-Tibetan family. Using internal reconstruction, we posit a reconstructed root and a set of rules from which all attested alternations can be derived. Paradigms generated by a computerized version of these rules have been validated by several speakers. This reconstruction serves as a tool to efficiently classify and describe morphophonological alternations, and as a basis for further research on diachronic morphology involving comparison with other closely related languages such as Dumi and Koyi.

Khaling, like other Kiranti languages, has a Reflexive / Middle suffix-si, the main function of which is to reduce the valence of verbs. The present paper describes the complex morphological alternations observed in the reflexive paradigms, and provides a detailed account of the various meanings of the -si derivation in Khaling.