Interpreting the eventive copula 做 tso3 in Taiwanese Southern Min


 This paper proposes an eventive copula 做 tso3
 in contrast with the stative copula 是 si7
 in Taiwanese Southern
 Min. The eventive copula 做 tso3
 can be established on syntactic grounds. It can occur in
 copular small clauses on purposive phrases c-selected by distinct types of matrix verbs. The eventive copula 做 tso3
 and the stative copula
 是 si7
 are in
 complementary distribution. Furthermore, due to its eventive nature the copula 做 tso3
 is compatible with experiential and progressive
 aspect markers and durative time adverbs. Nevertheless, unlike the stative copular 是 si7
 , the eventive 做 tso3
 cannot function as a
 focus marker. In addition, the eventive copula 做 tso3
 rather than its stative counterpart 是 si7
 is limited to
 predicational clauses only.