Future tense and habitual aspect in Malayalam

Abstract

In this paper, I describe the use of two constructions in Malayalam (Dravidian, South India) which are used to express the habitual aspect. Malayalam demonstrates a case in which one morpheme, -um, may express both the future tense and a present habitual. A previous investigation by Krishnamurti (2003) has aggregated evidence suggesting that Dravidian languages have long had a link between these two functions. I provide a brief review of this historical background on the future-habitual coexpression in Dravidian languages closely related to Malayalam in order to better explain the historical development of -um. A second morpheme, -āṛ-, expresses only the habitual aspect, and is unique to Malayalam. I provide a descriptive overview of how the two strategies are used in Malayalam, how they compare, how they overlap with other functions, and functional incompatibilities they exhibit.