Variability and Stability in Squliq Atayal Syntax

泰雅語法的變異性與穩定性

In this paper, I examine natural discourse data in the Pear and Frog narratives in Squliq Atayal to look for variations and processes that lead to change as well as stabilized forms. In the process, I provide a careful look into various components of Squliq grammar, with a special focus on case marking, relative clause constructions, TAM interpretation, the nature of [S/A] vs. [S/P] inter-clausal linkage patterns, the syntax of LV2 voice construction, emergence of a passive format, and multiverb constructions. Based on narrative data, I show that, for each of the grammatical categories or constructions examined, there is usually one or at most two favored and stabilized verbalizations, with variability around the stability. While these variations enrich our understanding of Squliq syntax, the stabilized forms are the preferred states of the system and they may be thought of as strong attractors that model the development of new constructions. Since language change arises out of variation and also gives rise to it, it is a demonstrably productive and central research strategy to probe into both variability and stability in Squliq syntax situated within a cognitive-functional linguistic paradigm.

本文從語言作為複雜的調適系統 的角度，利用泰雅語口語語料，檢視泰雅語法中幾個句構所表現的變異性與穩定性。句構的概念雖然隱含結構的穩定性。但也必然具有變異性，因為變異是驅動語言變化的基本要素。變異性有助於我們更了解泰雅語法的複雜度，而穩定性才是語言系統通常比較偏愛的狀態。本文觀察泰雅語的格位系統、關係子句、時式動貌與模態系統、[S/A], [S/P] 的句與句之間的代詞連結、LV2 的結構、連動句構等等，顯示每一句構都具有複雜而有趣的變異而穩定的雙重性質。本研究也說明把語言視為複雜的調適系統 是個深具創意的觀點。