Abstract
In the present paper, I investigate the temporal, aspectual and modal system of Tsou. My aim is two-fold: (1) I intend to reassess previous analyses made on this topic (see Tung 1964; Zeitoun 1992 and Szakos 1994) and (2) to re-examine the Tsou data in a typological perspective in order to present a unified study that takes into consideration not only this language but also highlights in what respects it differs from other Formosan languages.
I show that the temporal, aspectual and modal system of Tsou is based, as in most Formosan languages, on a basic modal dichotomy where realis contrasts with irrealis. In the realis, auxiliary verbs are divided into two categories, according to whether they occur in AF (imperfective) or NAF (perfective) constructions. In the irrealis, all the auxiliary verbs can occur in AF and NAF constructions but the imperfective/ perfective dichotomy is not found. Auxiliary verbs may further be divided according to whether they refer to a remote or immediate situation both in the realis and in the irrealis.
Keywords
Formosan language, Tsou, tense, aspect, modality
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