Verb concatenation in lahu: The syntax and semantics of ‘simple’ juxtaposition

Abstract

Abstract The Tibeto-Burman languages In general, and Lahu in particular, are remarkable for the apparent ease with which two or more verbs may be strung together or concatenated by simple juxtaposition to form complex verb phrases.1 Lahu verb concatenation is of considerable interest for Its own sake; but it will be a major goal of this paper to show that this phenomenon also raises some very general questions concerning the interrelationship of semantics and grammar. Specifically, there is...