Variation in Q'eqchi' (Q'eqchi' Mayan): Four compound deictic forms and their role in structuring discourse
Abstract
Q'eqchi' (Kekchi Mayan) has been described as a language exhibiting a high level of homogeneity; however, most studies have not included the speech communities of eastern Guatemala and Belize, areas of Q'eqchi' migration. This study investigates a dialect variation consisting of two paradigms in competition in the language. It describes the function and distribution of the two sets of forms, their position in the dyadic opposition running throughout Q'eqchi' deixis, and the role they play in structuring Q'eqchi' discourse. Using data from Q'eqchi' narratives, the study focuses on the organization of information, with particular attention to the role of the forms in providing a means of cohesion (through anaphora), emphasis (through repetition and word-order changes), transition (through sequential adverb-like phrases), introduction of new elements (through cataphora), and episodic closure (through repetition). The data indicates a new distribution of forms is evolving, with one form, most likely a borrowing, replacing the native form in many of its traditional functions in the eastern communities.
Subject Area
Linguistics
Recommended Citation
Maisel, Linda J, "Variation in Q'eqchi' (Q'eqchi' Mayan): Four compound deictic forms and their role in structuring discourse" (1993). Dissertations available from ProQuest. AAI9331816.
https://repository.upenn.edu/dissertations/AAI9331816