Done already? A comparison of completive markers in the Gbe languages and Sranan Tongo

摘要: Abstract The expression of completive by means post-verbal kaba ‘already’ in the Surinamese Creole Sranan Tongo is generally assumed to mainly derive from transfer a serial verb construction Gbe languages ( Bruyn, 2003 , Winford, 2006 Winford and Migge, 2007 ). However, not all share (S…V…V[finish]) upon which marker claimed have been modeled. In Gungbe, for example, quantifier meaning ‘all’ used anteriority expressed formally adverb ko pre-verbal position Aboh, 2004a Similarly, Ameka's (2008) analysis Ewegbe constructions involving ‘finish’ forms final suggests that such better qualify as adverbs. This would mean finish do involve serialization. If, it seems, Creoles serialization while seem to, question arises what extent one can show did influence emergence emerging creoles. addition, English arguably displays biclausal where takes non-finite clause complement (e.g., finish + V-ing) encode completion. One therefore wonder adopts pattern. Given are main contributors Suriname creoles their formative period, relevant ask might actually be combination (rather than just patterns) could contributed paper addresses this issue studying event completion comparing constructions. particular we focus on meanings uses (ad)verbs vs. quantifiers order advance our understanding