The Cross-Linguistic Function of Obligatory 'do'-Periphrasis

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to give a descriptive account of the range of functions that can be associated with obligatory ‘do’-periphrasis cross-linguistically based on a sample of 80 languages. A preliminary typological discussion of the cross-linguistic properties of this phenomenon can be found in Van der Auwera (1999). Section 2 discusses crosslinguistically identifiable criteria for ‘do’-periphrasis. In section 3 some examples are provided to show that the range of functions associated with obligatory periphrasis is limited and can be accounted for in terms of a four-way typology. Section 4 compares obligatory ‘do’-periphrasis with cases of optional use of ‘do’-periphrasis in languages outside the sample. Since languages with optional ‘do’-periphrasis often allow similar functional associations, it is proposed that the functional types argued for in this paper represent domains in which ‘do’-periphrasis is likely to become grammaticalized.