On the uses and restrictions of postverbal markers <i>kah, liáu</i>, and <i>tioh</i> in Taiwanese

Abstract In Taiwanese, when a sentence or predicate follows a verb or an adjective, one of three distinct markers ( kah, liáu , or tio̍h ) usually occurs. Previous investigations have not provided a clear explanation of these markers. This poses difficulties in teaching Taiwanese as a second language and hinders analytical precision. Through a judgment survey conducted with nine proficient native consultants, this study comprehensively elucidates the usage of these three markers while distinctly delineating their similarities and differences. Firstly, the consultants’ responses substantiate the declining usage of V- liáu and V- tio̍h . Moreover, this study highlights the constraints associated with the types of predicates preceding these markers and how these markers are used. Furthermore, it points out that, unlike the consistent nature of resultatives in some languages, when used as a resultative, V- kah represents a strong resultative, V- liáu represents a weak resultative, and V- tio̍h exhibits both strong and weak aspects depending on the orientation involved (subject- vs. object-orientation). Additionally, this study presents one of the first to show that object-oriented constituents following these markers are subject to limitations based on their predicate types. Lastly, this study examines the ambiguous temporal implications associated with V- liáu and V- tio̍h in previous research.