Affiliation:
1. Canada Institute of Linguistics and SIL International
Abstract
Abstract
This paper describes the way in which represented speech is introduced in ten eastern Bantu languages, and
explains the different constructions used as stages of a linguistic cycle. In this cycle, verbs of speech develop into quotative
markers, and eventually cease to be used to introduce direct speech. This cycle can be understood as a systematic and
unidirectional series of constructional changes.
Publisher
John Benjamins Publishing Company