Patrick Marlow, University of Illinois-Urbana
The high degree of phonological similarity among many of the Modern Indo-Aryan direct discourse markers (viz. ke, kai, ki, ki, ka , ka, ak, ake, and -k) and nearly identical function and syntax makes it tempting to attribute all k-initial forms to the borrowing of Persian k. This approach is supported by the distributional facts which suggest (1) quotatives have given way to complementizers and (2) Indo-Aryan k-initial complementizers closely parallel the borders of the Mughal empire. Despite the similarity between forms, however, not all can be related to Persian k. Many derive from verbs of speaking (e.g. ak and ake). By deriving problematic forms from absolutives, my analysis explains them in a straightforward way: they are part of an earlier pattern of DD-marking which has given way under Persian influence. This analysis is supported by the distributional facts: complementizers form an innovative core; shifted forms provide a transition area, and true verbal quotatives remain on the periphery. This analysis has the consequence of reducing all South Asian DD-marking to three types, viz. verbal (e.g. Bengali bole), deictic (e.g. Sanskrit iti, Marathi asa), and relative (e.g. Bengali je, Persian k).