Language Research

Abstract This article investigates the syntactic structure of numeral classifiers in Persian DPs within the minimalist program. Numeral classifiers are morphemes by which nouns are numerated by a number category. The morpho-syntactic analysis of classifiers in comparison to the other constituents of DPs like number, based on Cheng and Sybesma (2005), Ishii (2000), Li(1998, 1999), Tang (2004), Simpson (2005), Borer (2005) reveals that contrary to Gholaamali Zaade (1374), Samaayi (1387), and Sahraayi (1389) classifiers are in  fact the head of a separate phrase referred to  as CLP, which  in turn acts as a complement for the adjacent number head. Then, following Abney (1987) we demonstrate that the head of this CLP is not a lexical head; rather it is a functional one. Regarding the function of this head, we show that not only does it have the [quantification] feature, as mentioned by Darzi and Yaarahmadzehi (1390), but also this feature is valued as [absolute], and consequently the real function of this head is to individuate the modified nouns.

Abstract This paper aims at investigating evidentiality in contemporary Persian from a typological point of view. First the category of evidentiality and its types in the languages of the world is introduced. Gathering and analysing data of spoken and written form of this language as well as classic texts,  an attempt was made to see whether evidentiality exists in this language as a grammatical category or not. This study shows that in Persian like all languages of the world non-evidential categories like passive, perfect, complementations, etc.  acquire evidential extensions as evidential strategies. Moreover, some lexical means such as verbs of perception, cognition and saying and various adverbs may take an overtone of evidentiality. However, the most significant finding of this paper is that in contemporary Persian there is a kind of grammatical evidentiality expressed by means of a perfect progressive and a double perfect construction. These constructions are used to refer to non-first hand information.   Some evidence is provided showing  the grammaticalisation of these perfect constructions to express non-first hand information in contemporary Persian. Indeed, contemporary Persian has a restricted grammatical evidentiality stemming  from  perfect aspects.

Abstract Adjective in its natural or "positive" state may be made comparative or superlative by the addition of suffixes. In this article the development of these suffixes from Indo-European to New Persian is discussed in five sections. The first section explains these suffixes in Indo-European. In the second section due to many similarities between the two languages of Avetan and Sanskrit, these suffixes have been presented together. This section is based upon the work of Wackernagel who has analyzed these suffixes in Sanskrit; however studying the function of these suffixes in the ancient Iranian languages and comparing them to Sanskrit following Wackernagel's method is novel to this article. The third section addresses the function of these suffixes in Old Persian.

Abstract This paper studies derivation in scientific and colloquial varieties in Persian, and seeks to determine the frequency and manner of this process in each of the above-mentioned varieties by scrutinizing and comparing a significant number of derived words. To do so, after collecting Persian scientific and colloquial words and analyzing them, the following issues will be specified a) what kinds of affixes the system of derivational word-formation in each variety uses more frequently, b) how is the frequency of different derivational affixes in each variety, and c) when one affix is used, superficially, in both varieties, and are there any differences in the function of this affix in each variety or not. In specifying the behavior of the affixes in each variety, Lieber Skeleton-Body Semantic Model (2004)  is used, in the same way that Rafiei (1387) has used it in studying Persian derivational suffixes. Then we compare the findings of our study in each variety, and show the differences and similarities among them. The results that despite the existence of some similarities, derivation in scientific variety differs significantly in the above-mentioned areas from derivation in colloquial variety.

Abstract On the basis of Discourse Grammar (DG), this study investigates the expression of  yæ'ni in Persian. The term was originally borrowed from Arabic and has undergone the process of grammaticalization. It exhibits different pragmatic functions to characterize changes involved in the evolution of this discourse marker. The study suggests that grammaticalization of yæ'ni should be analyzed in terms of cyclic grammaticalization formulated by Kuteva (2012); that is, SG>TG>SG. The beginning point of the process is a Sentence Grammar unit that has been co-opted for being used in Thetical Grammar (TG). Once co-optation has taken place, the co-opted yæ'ni (as a thetical chunk) has undergone grammaticalization in TG, leading to the grammaticalized thetical of yæ'ni. It is also argued that the grammaticalized thetical of yæ'ni goes back to its domain of origin (SG) by taking over a grammatical function within SG. Its trajectory of development leaves us with a cyclic process starting with co-optation, linking SG to TG, continues within TG (resulting into a grammaticalized thetical) and ends by linking SG to TG (re-integrating into SG).

Abstract In this paper, after reviewing the classification of quantifiers, we aim toanswer the question of whether the merge position of quantifiers kheili and ba’zi is in the DP. Contra Moazzami (2006) and Samiian (1983), we show that these quantifiers do not originate  in the DP. By appealing to the preference of Merge over Move and in the light of Giusti (1991), we propose that these elements merge as head of the quantifier phrase and appear both in quantitive and partitive constructions.

Abstract This paper presents a study examining how Persian speakers use metaphoric gestures to represent different adverbs of time, and what these gestures reveal about the concept of time in their minds. A questionnaire containing 10 ambiguous questions, which made the participant use different adverbs of time, was given to 22 participants. They were filmed while trying to answer the questions. The corpus resulting from the analyses contained 299 gestures, all of which were made by hands. Since the frequency of gestures made by other body parts, like head or body, was very low, they were omitted from the corpus. The analyses also showed that 8 main gestures were used to demonstrate different adverbs of time. They can be categorized into 3 groups: those referring to the past, to the present, and to the future. Further analyses revealed that Persian speakers have a horizontal mentality of time, from back to front, and right to left. Finally, a schema is suggested for the concept of time in their minds.

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