Similar but different: the functions of the Mojeño Trinitario root expressing similarity

Abstract

This paper investigates the expression of comparison of equality and similarity in Mojeno Trinitario, an Arawak language spoken in Lowland Bolivia. A methodological introduction discusses the fact that within a first-hand corpus of spontaneous texts, the root kuti that expresses similarity occurs in five different constructions, while comparisons of equality are not found. The paper therefore focuses on this polycategorial root, which shows the two major functions of similative predicate ‘be like, resemble’ and similative preposition ‘like’. The root kuti is also used in verbal compounds, as a subordinator, and as an epistemic marker. The paper carefully describes the five similative constructions, and the form and function of the similative root kuti in each of these constructions. Two major issues discussed throughout the paper are the characterization of this polycategorial root in terms of parts of speech, and its diachronic evolution via grammaticalization and pragmaticalization.