On Focality of the Imperfective Marker Zai Wu-Li in Xiang Dialect and Its Grammaticalization (in Chinese)

Zai wu-li (literally “in the house”) in Xiang dialect can be used to denote the progressiveness of an act in a particular time point, and the continuity or habituality of an act in a period of time, and can co-occur with adjectives to indicate a certain state. It displays a feature of low focality. Competing with zai zhe-er/na-er (meaning here/there), zai wu-li has undergone a dynamic evolution of “high focality>low focality> non-focality”, and its low focality contrasts with the high focality displayed by zai zhe-er/na-er in Xiang dialect within the imperfective system. The grammaticalization of zai wu-li is largely driven by prototype model, while mechanisms like metaphor, analogy and reanalysis also play a role. The grammaticalization process is accompanied by the enhancement of subjectivity.