What is an existential marker?

Definition
	An existential marker is a word, found in a distinct clause type, which marks a referent's existence.

Example (Spanish)

The word hay in the following sentence is an existential marker:

hay muchos libros en la biblioteca

EXIST many books in the library

‘There are many books in the library.’

Source:

Schachter 1985 57

Generic
	An existential marker is a kind of
	What is a word?

See also
	What is an existential clause?

Concept module: existential marker
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): E
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004