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The rise and fall of Serial Verb Constructions: Preamble


Alexander Andrason
Alexandra Y. Aikhenvald

Abstract

This is a brief introduction to the special issue of Stellenbosch Papers in Linguistics Plus. We present the concept of serial verb  constructions (SVCs) conventionally understood as monoclausal sequences of verbs without any overt marker of coordination,  subordination, or syntactic dependency. We then focus on the mechanisms at work in the evolution of serial verb constructions, and the  investigations of their origin and demise. We introduce the prototype approach to the category of SVCs as the basis of the study of verb  serialization throughout the volume and discuss the research strategies applicable to the development of serial verbs in individual  languages. The concluding section offers an overview of the volume.


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eISSN: 2224-3380