Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 June 2010
In contrast to its description in available grammars and manuals, the converb -las in Old Tibetan is used primarily to mark off the following clause as surprising given the background of the preceding clause. The converb -las enters into two distinct syntactic constructions: after a reduplicated verb it indicates the interruption of a continuous event; and in a three-clause pattern with the converb -kyis, -las introduces a surprise or contrast in the second clause, but -kyis in the third clause returns the sentiment to that of the first clause. Although the examples which demonstrate the use of -las are drawn from Old Tibetan texts, this use continues in later texts.
Contracts = Takeuchi 1995
Ḥdzaṅs-blun = Schmidt 1843
OTA = Old Tibetan Annals (PT 1288 and ITJ 750, Imaeda et al. 2007: 230–44)
OTC = Old Tibetan Chronicle (PT 1287, Imaeda et al. 2007: 200–29)
Rāma = de Jong 1989
Rkoṅ-po = Li and Coblin 1987: 193–226
Treaty of 821–822 = Li and Coblin 1987: 34–137
Źol = Li and Coblin 1987: 138–85
Źwa-baḥi = Li and Coblin 1987: 261–99