ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-NAV-G03-023 · ATLAS 259

Reportative evidentiality

Hearsay evidentiality marks that information derives from another person's report.

Part of the subject path Pragmatics and Conversation

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

A · Analytical concept R1 · Distinct contribution to understanding

Reportative evidentiality adds another person's report as a marked route to information. The profile concerns evidential use rather than the legal status or truth value of a rumour.

Colours and admission grounds

The rectangular label identifies the entry function: F – linguistic figure or procedure; A – analytical concept; G – foundational concept; E – selected concrete case. The rounded badge indicates the admission ground: R1 – distinctive contribution; R2 – necessary foundation; R3 – justified illustrative case. This editorial rationale explains the current selection rather than claiming an undocumented original selection history.

Explanation

Hearsay evidentiality marks that information derives from another person's report. A language uses a dedicated suffix for The train has reportedly left when the information derives solely from a report. Separate grammatical evidentiality, optional source citation, rumour and epistemic uncertainty. A speaker can confidently report another person's statement; reportative source does not itself imply doubt.

Movement of thought

1. Identify the source-marking expression. 2. Establish its reportative meaning. 3. Compare direct evidence markers. 4. Check obligatoriness and grammatical integration. 5. Assess certainty independently.

Scientific use case

Cross-linguistic research codes whether source marking is obligatory and which information sources the paradigm distinguishes.

Example

A language uses a dedicated suffix for The train has reportedly left when the information derives solely from a report.

Counterexample

A speaker can confidently report another person's statement; reportative source does not itself imply doubt.

Distinction

Separate grammatical evidentiality, optional source citation, rumour and epistemic uncertainty.

Effect on thought and perception

Analysis can assess reported source and expressed certainty independently.

Resonance

Reported knowledge has a source, but not always a doubt.

Provenance

Separate AI English review passed; final author file f69b81c80ae2de2a71d727c8a73448a9de4569250e40024fa9c9b714ccbcfa78

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Reportative evidentiality“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-NAV-G03-023. ATLAS 259, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G03-023

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G03-023

The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. Editorial reading state: 2026-10-15. Include your access date for precise references.