| Abstract |
This study uses the framework of Dixon’s basic linguistic theory to explore the types of temporal word such as "yesterday", "tomorrow", "the day before yesterday" and "the day after tomorrow" in Formosan languages. Based on the data of each language, the morphology and semantics are analyzed. It was found that the vast majority of Formosan languages group together "yesterday" and "tomorrow", which are one day apart from the present, and "the day before yesterday" and "the day after tomorrow", which are two days apart, into another group. Such grouping is based on the "number of days". A few languages group "yesterday" with "the day before yesterday" and "tomorrow" with "the day after tomorrow", focusing on the distinction between "realis and irrealis". Additionally, there are also languages using all different root words for "yesterday", "tomorrow", "the day before yesterday" and "the day after tomorrow". Through a comprehensive examination, this study categorizes the Formosan languages into three major types and divides the marker of temporal words into three categories: single mark (marking realis), single mark (marking irrealis), and double mark. In addition, it compares the Austronesian languages of other countries and discusses whether the findings contribute to the reconstruction of Proto-Austronesian language. The results not only highlight the characteristics of Formosan languages temporal words, but also provide a reference for linguistic typology research. |
