Non-Propositional Evidentiality

AbstractThis chapter deals with non-propositional evidentiality, i.e. evidential-like distinctions on markers whose scope is limited to a noun phrase. First, it presents the different types of non-propositional evidential markers, the most common of which are demonstrative pronouns and determiners. Second, it shows how non-propositional evidential markers can encode morphosyntactic parameters such as case or topicality in addition to evidentiality. Then, it describes attested non-propositional evidential categories, focusing on sensory (visual, auditory, non-visual) evidentials, as non-sensory non-propositional evidentials are extremely rare. Finally, it discusses how non-propositional evidentiality and nominal tense can interact in some languages and presents some general observations on commonalities and differences between propositional and non-propositional evidential systems.