Resumen de The diachrony of complex predicates

Claire Bowern

• While complex predicate constructions, including light verb structures and verb serialisation, are found in many of the world�s languages, there has been little diachronic work on these structures to date. In this paper I survey the state of the field and describe current ideas on the origins and development of complex predicates. In particular, I show that the assumption of cline-like development from parataxis to affix (through serialisation, light verbs and auxiliation) is too simplistic. Finally, I review arguments in favor of and against views of light verbs as stable structures.