Nanai and the Southern Tungusic languages

• Main Author: Oskolskaya, Sofia
• Format: Book Part
• Language: unknown
• Published: Oxford University Press 2020
• Subjects: Tungusic languages
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198804628.003.0020

The chapter deals with an overview of the Southern Tungusic languages: Hezhe, Udihe, Oroch, Nanai, Ulcha, and Orok. The sociolinguistic and dialectal situation is described, as well as the history of the languages under discussion in respect of genealogy and contacts. The most specific features of this language group are observed alongside the features shared with the other Transeurasian languages. An outline of the Nanai language is given as an example of one of the Southern Tungusic languages, with a special focus on the historical development of some Nanai peculiarities (derivation of negative forms, substitution of finite forms by nonfinite forms and others). Some Nanai features are discussed in comparison with other closely related languages.