Grammaticalization paths of pheriphrastic constructions

Santiagueño Quichua and its relations with other Quechua

Abstract

Santiagueño Quichua (Quechua, South America) exhibits multiple periphrastic constructions with auxiliar verbs. Many of these constructions are in synchronic variation (phonological, morphological and syntactic) as there is a coexistence of new and old forms. This was observed in primary and secondary sources and during elicitation. As the grammaticalization and diachronic construction grammar are complementary approaches, this work outlines a hypothesis of linguistic change for the periphrastic constructions of Quichua Santiagueño based on a grammaticalization path that responds to the periphrasis-fusion-erosion cycle and the extension of a pattern originated in the converb construction. The recognition of this constructions and similar changes in other branches of the linguistic family allows us to contribute to the existing observations on the position of Quichua Santiagueño among other Quechua languages.