A Linguistic Analysis of Copulas in Bangla with Respect to English

Abstract

This paper investigates the linguistic concept of copulas in Bangla, examining their syntactic and semantic properties in comparison to English. Copulas, which link a subject with a non-verbal predicate, differ significantly across languages. English primarily uses the verb to be as a copula, while Bangla features five distinct types: ach- (to be present/exist), thak- (to remain/stay/live permanently), hO- (to become/happen), a null copula, and Positive Polarity Copulas (holo and hocche). Each Bangla copula exhibits unique syntactic and semantic functions, with overlapping usages in some contexts. For instance, ach- and thak- both express existential meanings, but thak- conveys permanence or habituality, whereas ach- indicates temporary presence. The study also delves into null copulas, which can covertly represent hO- or ach-, and examines their behavior in different grammatical structures. Positive Polarity Copulas, although morphologically tied to past and progressive forms, semantically operate in the simple present tense. The analysis underscores the structural distinctions between Bangla and English copular constructions, particularly the implications of Bangla’s subject-object-verb (SOV) order versus English’s subject-verb-object (SVO) order. This paper highlights areas for further research, including the information structure of copular clauses in Bangla and their unified syntactic representation. By addressing these linguistic intricacies, the study contributes to a broader understanding of cross-linguistic variations in copular constructions.