Convergence in language change: Morpho-syntactic patterns in Mingrelian (and Laz)

The paper examines two features of Mingrelian (a member of the Kartvelian, of South Caucasian, language family): (i) the marking of subordinate clause s by either clause-final suffix -n(i)l-il There Exists alone or this suffix + a full subordinating conjunction (or relative pronoun); (ii) the 'Condit ional' forms in -k'o(n(i)), which are peculiar within Kartvelian to Mingrel ian and its close sister Laz. Influence exerted long ago by the North West Caucasian language Abkhaz, whose speakers may be presumed to have been in c lose contact with the Zan ancestors of Laz-Mingrelians, it is claimed, migh t feasibly underlie these phenomena. The discussion finally touches upon co nsideration of the possible role played by parataxis in the development of some hypotactic constructions in the history of at least some languages, es pecially in light of a recent attempt to refute the notion that hypotaxis c an be so derived.