Quotations in Tangut texts

Abstract The aim of the present paper is to discuss the differentiation between direct and indirect quotations in Tangut texts. Based on the analysis of Buddhist texts and translations from Chinese classics in the Khara-khoto collection preserved in the Institute of Oriental Manuscripts, RUS, the quotations in Tangut may be divided into two categories. Direct speeches are not marked or attached by a quotative marker j？2妒. Indirect speeches are composed by using j？2妒 or a compound marker j？2djij2妒纓 at the end of the quote. Tangut quotation structure is closely related to the verb j？2妒. It is illustrated in the study of cross-linguistic typology that the semantic verb ‘say’ may usually evolve to quotative markers. The semantic and grammatical functions of the verb he semantic and grammatical functions of the verb j？2妒 which the quotation structure used reflected the grammaticalization from an independent verb to a grammatical marker. This phenomenon can provide a new perspective for the grammatical study of Tibetan-Burman languages