An analysis of the numerical and qualitative characteristics of the adverb ābār in Bengali.

ABSTRACT

The present paper consists of a linguistic analysis of the various uses of the Bengali adverb ābār. This term denotes second occurrence or repetition; this is considered to be the primary usage of the term. However we find instances where this term is used in connection with nonrepetitive actions. These uses apparently are not in conformity with the fundamental sense of the term. Ābār in the second sense is an expletive. Through an in depth analysis of the apparently unrelated primary and expletive uses of this adverb, we have tried to bring out the unifying factor. We have attempted to demonstrate that all the uses of this adverb may be defined in terms of its numerical and qualitative characteristics.