On the mirative marker leh⁴in Taiwanese Southern Min

This paper shows that the sentence final leh4 {chinese word presented} with an actual pronunciation of a low third tone can independently mark mirativity from either the speaker's or the addressee's perspective. The range of mirative meanings that the mirative leh4 {chinese word presented} expresses include (a) sudden discovery, sudden revelation or realization on the part of the speaker, (b) new and surprising information for the speaker/ addressee, (c) counterexpectation to the speaker/addressee. By contrast, 'new information to the addressee' is conveyed by either the higher fourth tone leh4 {chinese word presented} or neh4 {chinese word presented}, which indicates the worthiness of new information and calls it to the addressee's attention. Syntactically, I propose that the mirative leh4 {chinese word presented} is projected higher than an evidential projection.