| Summary: | This study attempts to examine the difference of third person marking on finite indicative forms in Tungusic from the perspective of areal typology. According to number distinction in third person, this study employs the following typological parameters of person marking: (i) obligatorily distinct marking, (ii) optionally distinct marking, (iii) non-distinct marking, and (iv) non-person marking. The analysis will show that third person marking on finite indicative endings in Tungusic varies in accordance with geographical distribution, showing similarities with neighboring languages. First, North Tungusic (i.e. Evenki, Even, and Negidal) is considered obligatory distinct type and this is consistent with contiguous Kolima Yukaghir, Sakha, and Russian. Second, East Tungusic languages (Ulcha, Nanay, Udihe, and Uilta) are equivalent to adjacent Mongolic (Buryat, Dagur) in that both groups are optional distinct type. Moreover, East Tungusic except Udihe coincides with these Mongolic languages in that 3PL can be equally marked by the nominal plural suffix. As far as Udihe is concerned, the verbal derivational suffix -du is selectively used to indicate 3PL, which is presumed to originate from the loss of nominal element *-l as a result of phonological change. Third, South Tungusic is divided into two groups, South Tungusic 1 (Solon, Hezhen) and South Tungusic 2 (Manchu, Sibe). The former group does not retain number distinction in third person, as is the case in Kazakh and Uyghur. It is remarkable that the two different language families, without any direct contact, are commonly distributed in the Chinese territory. The latter group never encodes person category in verbal predicate structure, neither in Chinese and Khalkha Mongolian. In conclusion, the author raises a possibility that the areal-based distinctions among third person marking on finite indicative forms in Tungusic are attributed to the influence from the adjacent languages.
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