Finitization of Non-Finite zhe in Gansu-Qinghai Sinitic Varieties

Ruoyu Chen

doi:10.65961/crcl-2026-0024

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Current Research in Chinese Linguistics ›› 2026, Vol. 105 ›› Issue (2) : 489-512. DOI: 10.65961/crcl-2026-0024

Special Topic: International Symposium on Silk Road Linguistics

Finitization of Non-Finite zhe in Gansu-Qinghai Sinitic Varieties

Ruoyu Chen

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Abstract

In the Gansu-Qinghai Sinitic varieties spoken in Northwest China, zhe denoting imperfectives is used as a typical non-finite marker, and thus typically fails to occur alone at the sentence-final position following the core predicate. However, a few exceptions exist in several Gansu-Qinghai Sinitic varieties where zhe occurs independently at the sentence-final position. Such deviant finite use is in obvious contradiction to its typical non-finite feature. From the dynamic perspective of finitization, the deviant finite use of zhe in the Gansu-Qinghai Sinitic varieties could be provided a more unified account. That is, the non-finite feature is the typical feature of zhe, whereas the finite use is a local and secondary phenomenon. And it is highly possible that the finite use has evolved from its non-finite feature through the dynamic and gradual process of formal finitization. The finitization of zhe is driven by the auxiliarization and particlization of the erstwhile core predicate following zhe, which essentially takes place within the framework of finiteness distinction in the Gansu-Qinghai Sinitic varieties. Rather than negating or deconstructing the finiteness system, the finitization of zhe could, on the contrary, further verify the existence of finiteness distinction in the Gansu-Qinghai Sinitic varieties.

Key words

Gansu-Qinghai Sinitic varieties / zhe / finiteness / finitization / areal typology

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Ruoyu Chen. Finitization of Non-Finite zhe in Gansu-Qinghai Sinitic Varieties[J]. Current Research in Chinese Linguistics. 2026, 105(2): 489-512 https://doi.org/10.65961/crcl-2026-0024

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