Refunctionalization. First-Person Plural of the Verb Haber in the History of Spanish

In this paper, the first-person plural diachronic behaviour of the verb form <i>habemos</i> with an existential value is analysed to explore its recovery in current Spanish as a case of refunctionalization. The latter is understood as timely cooptation of a form, which begins with any of the form&#8217;s characteristics. It is known that the cooptation&#8217;s origin might be directly, indirectly or not at all related to the previous or original use of the form. Results shown here are based on the analysis of constructions in which the first-person plural verb form of <i>haber</i> is used with a possessive meaning, as an auxiliary, and as existential between the 13th and 21st century. While grammaticalization theory pays attention to processes that culminate with grammatical enrichment of words or constructions, the verb form <i>habemos</i> with an existential meaning does not show that behaviour. It is explained as a case of refunctionalization or, at least, specialization.

Abstract licence: CC BY

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