Demonstratives in Narrations
Iraqw distinguishes four degrees of distance in demonstratives. These demonstratives have their special functions in narration.
The narrator uses DEM1 to refer to information that is given somewhat further back in the story or to a preceding episode, therewith closing that episode off and preparing the scene for a next event. DEM2 and DEM3 are not used in narration as such, but they occur in reported conversation with their usual function either referring to something which is near the speaker, for DEM2, or something which is far away, for DEM3. DEM4 is used referentially, referring to something or someone just mentioned that is both far away and invisible. DEM4 can be repeated to emphasize the unexpectedness, or the miraculousness, of an event.
