-(K)i hiztegian, eta hiztegiaz harantzago / The suffix -(k)i in the lexicon and beyond

Abstract

A morpheme -(k)i invariably precedes dative clitics in Basque verbal inflection. This morpheme has been analyzed as an applicative marker (Elordieta 2001, Fernández 2012, 2014b among others). In this paper, I will revisit this hypothesis, providing arguments for and against it. It will be shown that, although attractive, the applicative analysis of -(k)i presents some typological problems that can be alternatively solved by assuming -(k)i to be a preposition, as claimed by Trask (1981). Moreover, -(k)i can also appear in non-finite verbal forms of verbs such as atxiki, eutsi 'hold on' or jarraiki 'follow'. Regarding those instances, I will propose -(k)i to be a lexicalized preposition responsible for dative selection. This instance of the applicative preposition is claimed to differ from the quirky -(k)i attested in verbs like eduki '(possessive) have' and jakin 'know'. Contrary to dative-selecting verbs like jarraiki 'follow', neither eduki '(possessive) have' nor jakin 'know' select any datives. However, these verbs have been historically attested in both synthetic and analytic ditransitive forms, i.e. forms including datives, and have been also preserved in this configuration in western varieties (Gaminde 2004). In those instances, dative clitics are not introduced by the quirky -(k)i, but by the applicative preposition -(k)i.