As humans, we spend most of our time by standing, sitting or lying. These verbs that are used to refer to states of being in a position are used more extensively than one would expect at first...Show moreAs humans, we spend most of our time by standing, sitting or lying. These verbs that are used to refer to states of being in a position are used more extensively than one would expect at first sight. In different languages, these posture verbs can be used in a grammaticalized way. This is the case with Tsafiki and Cha'palaa, two languages spoken in the northwest of South America. In these two languages, the verb 'sit' (in Tsafiki) and 'lie' (in Cha'palaa) are grammaticalized into continuative markers. These are the main instances of grammaticalized posture verbs in these languages, besides other minor examples.Show less
