Academic Journal
The Polyfunctionality and Origins of makee in Chinese Pidgin English
| Title: | The Polyfunctionality and Origins of makee in Chinese Pidgin English |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Michelle Li |
| Source: | Journal of Language Contact. 17:727-755 |
| Publisher Information: | Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2024. |
| Publication Year: | 2024 |
| Description: | Words expressing ‘make’ are semantically and functionally versatile in many languages. Focusing on the word makee, derived from English make, in Chinese Pidgin English, a contact language originated in 18th-century Canton, China, this paper examines its origins and functions. Primarily a lexical verb, makee is polyfunctional in that it also occurs in the complex form [makee X] which indicates causation, imperative, and verbalization. Functioning as a main verb and a causative verb, makee largely mirrors the corresponding words in the source languages of the pidgin, namely English and Cantonese. However, makee as an imperative marker and a verbalizer are innovative features. In imperative sentences, makee in combination with another verb indicate commands. As a verbalizer, makee gives a verbal interpretation to the whole construction. These two new features of makee are not attributable to existing models in the source languages. |
| Document Type: | Article |
| ISSN: | 1955-2629 1877-4091 |
| DOI: | 10.1163/19552629-01704005 |
| Accession Number: | edsair.doi...........6363430833391fbb4d4b09e9ec628bf4 |
| Database: | OpenAIRE |
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