Light Verbs in Punjabi

Abstract

This study examines the role of light verbs in Punjabi, with a particular focus on their syntactic positioning and aspectual contribution. While the canonical position of the light verb is generally recognized as V2, evidence shows that in certain contexts it may also appear in the V1 position. The paper explores the conditions under which this positional variation occurs and its implications for the syntax–semantics interface. A range of Punjabi light verbs is introduced, demonstrating that they do not contribute independent lexical meaning but instead encode aspectual and event-structural nuances. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that certain readings and complex verbal formations are only licensed through the use of light verbs, making them indispensable for the generation of complex predicates. This aspect of Punjabi syntax represents a distinctive feature that has received little attention in the literature and adds to the broader understanding of South Asian languages.