Evidentiality in Uzbek and Kazakh

4.1.5.1 On emish in Uzbek 
Uzbek emish serves essentially the same function as ekan; that is, it expresses marked 
non-confirmativity and non-firsthand information source. 
(153) Aytishlaricha, bu qotil-lar-ning arvoh-lar-i emish. (Uz) 
Reportedly this murderer-
PL
-
GEN
ghost-
PL
-3
EVID
‘They say that these are the ghosts of murderers.’ 
(Joyce 2007, 9) 
 
(154) Ziyoratchilar emish, aytishicha Osmonga ketayotgan emish. (Uz) 
 
pilgrim-
PL EVID
, reportedly heaven-
DAT
go-prog-prf evid 
‘They’re pilgrims, and they’re apparently going to heaven.’
15
 
 
As is the case with ekan, person marking occurs on emish, and not on the main part of the 
predicate: 
15
2008. “Pilgrim’s Progress (in Uzbek) Palomnik.” Poetry, No Prose, 8 Apr. Accessed 3 Feb 
2011. http://noprose.wordpress.com/category/uzbek/ 

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(155) Go`yoki mеn “hezalak” emish-man. (Uz) 
although I impotent
EVID
-1
SG
‘Although I’m apparently “impotent.”’
16
 
 
Emish occurs not only in declarative clauses, but also in interrogative clauses, although there is 
no contracted polar question form (*mimish) like mikan. 
(156) Asadbek uylan-ayot-gan emish-lar-mi (Uz) 
Asadbek marry-
PROG
-
PRF EVID
-
PL
-
Q
‘Is Asadbek getting married?’
17
 
 
Also like ekan, emish may participate in the introduction of folktales, although ekan is the 
form most commonly encountered today: 
(157) Bor emish, yo’q emish, bir shoh bor emish. (Uz) 
EXIST EVID NEG
.
EXIST EVID
one shah 
EXIST EVID
‘Once upon a time there was a shah.’ 
 
The examples above demonstrate that the evidential component of the meaning of emish 
is reportative, rather than simply non-firsthand information; in no case is inference or deductive 
information source expressed. Ekan, however, may express any non-firsthand information 
source. This finding is in accord with the claims of Johanson (2003, 279) that emish differs from 
ekan in that it expresses reported information, rather than general non-firsthand information. 
Non-confirmative reportedness is not the only meaning expressed by emish. Like ekan, 
emish may express admirativity or emotivity. This range of meaning will be fully discussed in 
the following chapter. 
16
2008. “O'zjan Denizga suiqast” Hamma.tk, 21 Sep. Accessed 3 Feb 2011. 
http://hamma.ucoz.ru/news/2008-09-21-790 
17
2006. “Mish-mishlari…” Uzbekistan Online Forum – Onlajn Forum Uzbekistana, 15 Sep. 
Accessed 3 Feb 2011. http://www.arbuz.com/archive/index.php/t-32331.html 

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