Deictic Transposition and Referential Practice in Belhare

Abstract

A root alternation in Belhare (Sino‐Tibetan, Nepal) spatial demonstratives encodes the transposition of deictic fields to a zero‐point distinct from the deictic origin. This kind ofgrammaticalized transposition is also fundamental for other parts of the grammar, including person deixis and mood categeries. Transposition in spatial deixis makes deliberation between places on "this" versus "the other" side of the transposed zero‐point, a core issue of referential practice in establishing and sustaining social identities and boundaries.