Grammaticalization of <scp>say</scp> Verbs Into Complementizers in Formosan Languages: A Typological Perspective

ABSTRACT Although the grammaticalization of say verbs has been explored in some Formosan languages, no typologically oriented analysis has yet been undertaken. This study fills that gap by examining the grammaticalization trajectories of say verbs, focusing on their development into complementizers to facilitate broader cross‐linguistic comparison. Building on Chappell's five‐stage framework for Sinitic languages, where co‐occurrence with other verbs in say serial verb construction ( say ‐SVCs) marks different degrees of grammaticalization, the Formosan data reveal both structural and developmental divergences. Formosan say ‐SVCs occur in both pre‐dictum (V1 + V2 say ) and post‐dictum (V1 say + V2) positions, and say verbs in these languages progress more gradually than in Sinitic varieties. This study shows that say verbs in Squliq Atayal, Saisiyat, Tgdaya Seediq, and Thao have advanced to Stage 3, functioning as a complementizer, while the say verbs in Bunun, Kanakanavu, Rukai, Saaroa, and Tsou remain at Stage 1 as quotative verbs. No Formosan say verb has reached Stage 5, the point of full conventionalization found in some Sinitic languages. To capture the finer distinctions observed, this study proposes a tentative refinement of Chappell's framework by subdividing each stage into Early and Late Phases. This working distinction is intended to make visible potential intermediate steps in the grammaticalization process and to facilitate a more nuanced typological assessment of Formosan say verbs, particularly with respect to their structure‐sensitive and gradual paths of change.