This study presents a syntactic analysis of expressives in Mising (Tani), revealing their function as obligatory verb modifiers. Based on this evidence, the paper argues that iconicity is a core component of Mising grammar, deeply integrated into its syntax rather than confined to its lexicon. This finding directly challenges theoretical models that treat iconic forms as a marginal category, positioning sensory symbolism instead as a fundamental organizing principle of grammar. Falling under the broad linguistic category of 'expressives' (Diffloth 1979) and including forms often labeled 'ideophones' (Doke 1935), the Mising data is best analyzed through its internal classification into three types: Acoustic Symbolic, Articulatory Symbolic, and Systematic Patterned. Acoustic Symbolic Words vividly capture environmental sounds, such as pjɔk-pjɔk ("sound of a chick"). Articulatory Symbolic Words, on the other hand, reflect movement and rhythm, as in lɔŋgɔ:-lɔŋgɔ: ("rolling"). Finally, Systematic Patterned Words follow recognizable phonological structures, like the A-B-A-C pattern in dɔkɨn-dɔmɨn ("snacks"). Crucially, while structurally diverse, these types are unified by their shared syntactic function as verb modifiers. These patterns also fill the direct object slot, which is one of the most fundamental grammatical roles in a sentence. This demonstrates that expressives in Mising are not limited to an adverbial function; they can behave like regular nouns, proving their complete integration into the core grammar and refuting any model that treats them as peripheral.

Authors:
Normoda Doley, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India

About the Presenter(s)
Normoda Doley is a PhD Research Scholar at the Centre for Linguistics in Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, India.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Tuesday Schedule

Bookmark