On the Definition and Distribution of Serial Verb Constructions

The term 'Serial Verb Construction' has been applied to a wide range of phenomena, in the literature and even (or perhaps especially) at this conference. In this paper I hope to clarify some definitional points concerning serial verb constructions and In addition provide some explanation of the distribution of serial verb constructions In the languages of the world. To go into the depth necessary to fully explicate the points I wish to make Is not possible in a brief paper, and interested readers may wish to consult my dissertation (Sch!ller 1990d) and related papers (Sch!ller 1989c, 1990a, 1990b). I have made a few changes in my analysis since the conference, thanks to Insightful presentations by Geoff Pullum and Pieter Seuren (this volume), who deserve more than mere footnoted acknowledgement.