[Lingtyp] Encoding "right before" across languages

[Pun Ho Lui]

Dear all,

In a number of cross-linguistic works on adverbial subordination (e.g. Olguin Martinez, 2022; Kortmann, 1997; Hetterle, 2015), the logically possible subordinating connective ‘right before’ is not covered. In my experience of reading grammar books, I don’t feel like I have stumbled on any dedicated marker/construction for ‘right before’.

To my knowledge, the encoding of ‘right before’ can be, obviously, with an adverbial ‘right'+’before’. Another strategy is ‘as soon as…before’ in Cantonese.

I am wondering if you have stumbled on ‘right before’ in other languages.

Thank you.

Warmest,
Joe Pun Ho Lui