Investigating the Evolution and Frequency of Persian Light Verbs Dâštan (Have), Amadan (Come), Avardan (Bring), Gereftan (Get), and Didan (See) from 1840 to 1940

Persian light verbs have changed in terms of frequency of use in the course of time. The study of frequency changes of various common light verbs in the long history of Persian language seems reasonable, but the study of light verbs in the course of a relatively short period (a century) for the purpose of showing syntactic changes, can be a matter of significance. The present study deals with such topic. A diachronic study of the use of Persian light verbs in different periods sheds light on the processes leading to the formation of light verbs. In fact, studying the frequency of a number of light verbs during a century can lead to the discovery of how they turned into light verbs. Our purpose in this study is to analyze five Persian light verbs dӑštan (have), ӑmadan (come), ӑvardan (bring), gereftan (take) and didan (see) in five periods during a century (1220-1320 AH). In this study, 15000 simple and complex predicates, extracted from newspaper texts, have carefully been analyzed. In each period, the number of complex predicates based on type and token has been identified. This study shows that the light verb dӑštan has been regarded as the main light verb in the periods under study. This study also shows that the verb didan hasn't been used as a light verb in the last three periods, while it has been commonly used as light verb in the primary periods and has turned into a lexical verb in the course of time. This study also shows that the frequency of the mentioned light verbs during five periods indicates fluctuation; however, it is possible to reach a reasonable conclusion through a well-disciplined procedure.