Differential Object Marking in Caquetá-Putumayo Languages

What is it about?

This study explores how different languages in Northwest Amazonia, specifically those in the Caquetá-Putumayo (C-P) region and the Tukanoan-speaking Vaupés area, handle the grammatical marking of objects in sentences. These languages show a fascinating mix of similarities and differences, shaped by centuries of cultural and linguistic contact. A key focus is Differential Object Marking (DOM), a system where certain objects—like animate or definite ones—receive special grammatical markers, while others do not. By comparing the patterns of DOM in these regions, the research uncovers how cultural interactions and shared communication needs have influenced their development. It also highlights the unique ways these languages combine features, like multifunctional markers and asymmetrical systems, to express meaning. This work sheds light on the dynamics of language change in Amazonia and contributes to understanding how linguistic structures can spread and adapt through contact between diverse communities.

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