CHAPTER 8
VARIATION IN SEMANTICS

8-] Introduction

A discussion of variation in Aymara semantics must
be based on an examination of what Hardman (in press a)
calls the linguistic postulates of the language: categori-
zations recurring at different levels of grammar and re-
flected in cultural norms. An understanding of their nature
and pervasiveness is needed in order to describe certain
differences in their manifestations in different dialects
(for example, in selectional restrictions on verb subjects
and complements) especially to show differences between
Missionary, Patr6én, and Radio Aymara on the one hand, and
other Aymara dialects on the other (see Chapter 9).

Regional semantic variation in the noun and verb
systems includes instances of one form with different mean-
ings cross-dialectically, and conversely, cases of different
Aymara forms occurring in different dialects with apparently
the same meanings. At the present state of research, which

relies heavily on translation, decisions as to what constitute

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