Editing Quechuan languages (section)

====Inferential evidential, -chr(a)====

While ''–chr(a)'' is usually used in an inferential context, it has some non-prototypical uses.

''Mild Exhortation''
In these constructions the evidential works to reaffirm and encourage the addressee's actions or thoughts.

{{interlinear|indent=3
|mas kalu-kuna-kta li-la-a ni-nki-'''chra'''-ri
|more far-PL-ACC go-PST-1 say-2-CONJ-EMPH
|Yes, tell them, "I've gone farther."
<br />(Floyd 1999, p. 107)}}

This example comes from a conversation between husband and wife, discussing the reactions of their family and friends after they have been gone for a while. The husband says he plans to stretch the truth and tell them about distant places to which he has gone, and his wife (in the example above) echoes and encourages his thoughts.

''Acquiescence''
With these, the evidential is used to highlight the speaker's assessment of inevitability of an event and acceptance of it. There is a sense of resistance, diminished enthusiasm, and disinclination in these constructions.

{{interlinear|indent=3
|paaga-lla-shrayki-'''chra'''-a
|pay-POL-1›2FUT-CONJ-EMPH
|I suppose I'll pay you then.
<br />(Floyd 1999, p. 109)}}

This example comes from a discourse where a woman demands compensation from the man (the speaker in the example) whose pigs ruined her potatoes. He denies the pigs as being his but finally realizes he may be responsible and produces the above example.

''Interrogative''
Somewhat similar to the ''–mi'' evidential, the inferential evidential can be found in content questions. However, the salient difference between the uses of the evidentials in questions is that in the ''–m(i)'' marked questions, an answer is expected. That is not the case with ''–chr(a)'' marked questions.

{{interlinear|indent=3
|ima-lla-kta-'''chr''' u-you-shrun llapa ayllu-kuna-kta-si chra-alu-l
|what-LIM-ACC-CONJ give-ASP-12FUT all family-PL-ACC-EVEN arrive-ASP-SS
|I wonder what we will give our families when we arrive.
<br />(Floyd 1999, p. 111)}}

''Irony''
Irony in language can be a somewhat complicated topic in how it functions differently in languages, and by its semantic nature, it is already somewhat vague.  For these purposes, it is suffice to say that when irony takes place in Wanka Quechua, the ''–chr(a)'' marker is used.

{{interlinear|indent=3
|chay-nuu-pa-'''chr''' yachra-nki
|that-SIM-GEN-CONJ know-2
|(I suppose) That's how you learn [that is the way in which you will learn].
<br />(Floyd 199, p. 115)}}

This example comes from discourse between a father and daughter about her refusal to attend school. It can be interpreted as a genuine statement (perhaps one can learn by resisting school) or as an ironic statement (that is an absurd idea).