Non-singular pronouns in Tibeto-Burman (Trans-Himalayan)

Abstract

Abstract This paper surveys the forms of dual and plural pronouns across the Tibeto-Burman languages, and offers a reconstruction of the non-singular pronouns, and a general account of how various branches and languages have diverged from this original system. We can certainly reconstruct two, perhaps three, person-number portmanteaus: #i 1pl, or perhaps 1pl.inc, #ni 2pl, and, less certainly, #ka 1pl.exc. We also reconstruct #tsi dual which combined with singular pronouns to make dual forms. This construction was the model on which most daughter languages have innovated an analytic system of person and number marking, with distinct person and dual and/or plural morphemes combining to make the morphologically complex but semantically transparent compositional forms found in the majority of languages.