The development of the concept of ʽevidentialityʼ and its exogenous application to European languages

The concept of ‘evidentiality’ is the only example an exogenous application a category derived from description Amerindian languages to European languages. In this contribution, first consideration evidentiality in ancient descriptions American Indian addressed. missionaries followed model Latin grammars, but some cases, they realised that these were substantially different. Without perceiving systematic value evidentials, grouped them different classes constituted by elements had particular meanings and Second, emergence as obligatory element certain studied. Third, integration into functional pragmatic linguistics analysed.