Search Results

Periphrasis has a striking role in the Australian (non-Pama-Nyungan) language Dalabon, where it helps to maintain the paradigm structure, and at the same time reshapes the paradigm by adding new categories. The key area concerns divalent prefixal marking in verbs, which has been used as evidence in establishing genetic relatedness of non-Pama-Nyungan languages. In Dalabon, there is a set of prefixes to mark subject-object relations for singular objects. The non-singular objects, however, are coded by preverbal pronouns and this chapter demonstrates the true periphrastic nature of this construction. Dalabon is also viewed in the context of other languages of the family, and this allows us to establish the systemic functions of periphrasis, that of ensuring stability of divalent marking in the paradigm, and that of enlarging the paradigm. More generally, then, the Dalabon data provide new evidence of how morphological paradigms behave in the context of change and renewal.

A defective word is defined by paradigm as incomplete compared with the major class it belongs to. Defectiveness signifies the unwanted intrusion of morphological idiosyncrasy into syntax. Although this phenomenon has been a constant subject of studies, it has been ill incorporated into the theories of language. This present volume brings together scholars from various theoretical schools for an overdue typological view of defectiveness. It concentrates on some samples of idiosyncratic gaps which are assumed as indicative of the phenomenon of defectiveness. Before delving into the specified topics of each chapter, this introductory chapter presents a typology of defective paradigms. It discusses terms used to describe defectiveness in synchronotic terms, and the possible diachrony of defective paradigms.

This chapter presents an absolute explanation for universal patterns. The following criteria should converge to identify true universals: (1) universals have no exceptions (for what does not arise by change cannot be subverted by it either). That is, they are violable only in virtue of more highly ranked universal constraints. (2) Universals are process-independent. (3) Universals can be manifested in ‘emergence of the unmarked’ effects. (4) Universals constitute pathways for analogical change. (5) Universals are embedded in grammars as constraints and can interact with other grammatical constraints. Choosing as testing grounds Binding Theory and split ergativity in morphosyntax, and voicing neutralization and sonority in phonology, it is argued that criteria do converge rather cleanly in each case.

This chapter presents five main points. First is that a very large number of morphosyntactic implicational universals can be explained by invoking economic motivation: more frequently used expressions are shorter than semantically similar, but more rarely used expressions, because they are more predictable. Second, all universal morphosyntactic asymmetries are economically motivated. Third, economical patterns are created by speakers in language use, and when innovative patterns spread through the community, they are manifested in the results of language change. Fourth, there are at least three different diachronic paths through which economical patterns arise: differential phonological reduction, differential expansion of a new construction, and selective analogical change. Fifth, one obvious possible diachronic path does not seem to be well attested: differential morphosyntactic reduction. However, this generalization is problematic, because morphosyntactic reduction is not easy to differentiate from phonological reduction, and counter-examples have been noted.

This introductory chapter presents the background of the book, discusses the new term ‘semantic alignment’ and related terminology, traces major developments in the study of semantic alignment, characterizes the overall achievement of the book, and summarizes the individual chapters.

This chapter shows that a number of split intransitive languages have developed from re-analysis of transimpersonal experiencer object constructions. More generally, it is argued that split intransitive systems emerge through the interaction of universal functional pressures with language particular structural conditions.

Proto-Yeniseic possessed a type of semantic alignment whereby subject and object NPs were zero marked and most undergoer subjects generated verb-internal agreement. Modern Ket exhibits a more complex system of verb-internal subject-object marking involving several different patterns which defy simple semantic classification. This chapter traces this phenomenon diachronically.

This chapter compares alignment patterns across the North Halmaheran (West Papuan) languages, concluding that formal patterns of alignment are inherently unstable. Semantically aligned systems are shown to have arisen from originally syntactically aligned system through the loss of pleonastic actor pronouns.

It has been proposed that patterns of core argument categorization, sometimes termed ‘alignment’, are highly stable over time. Certain language families, however, show evidence of relatively recent shifts in these patterns. Agent/patient patterns in particular, which are considered rare, show strong areal concentrations in certain regions such as North America. This chapter examines situations that can trigger such shifts, mechanisms of diffusion, and the traces they can leave behind.

Otomi is an Otomanguean, Mesoamerican language whose intransitive verbs display two types of semantic alignment patterns: agent-patient and active-stative. This uncommon feature makes Otomi an interesting language typologically. This chapter advances a proposal about how the active-stative alignment emerged diachronically in the grammar of Otomi.

This chapter discusses the agreement systems of two genetically and geographically disparate Arawak languages, Kurripako and Baure. While Kurripako exhibits semantic alignment, the differential treatment of Baure intransitive subjects relates to parts of speech. It is hypothesized, however, that the Baure system developed from one similar to that of Kurripako.

This chapter considers the structure of ethical action in Sophocles' Antigone in the context of Lacan's key comments on the play and on the ethics of psychoanalysis, and with special attention to some recent criticism of Lacan by Judith Butler. The chapter attempts to re‐phrase the ‘economy’ of Antigone's choice, her absolute commitment to her brother's precedence, as well as questions of kinship, in terms of temporality and especially with regard to the brother's singular unrepeatability. Understanding Lacan's fundamental approach to the question of time (‘logical time’, ‘anticipatory certitude’, etc.) and to the questions of topology, as well as some of their underpinnings in science and philosophy can, the chapter argues, help us redefine, not only Antigone's action, and thus also the action of the play Antigone, but also to see the claims of her commitment and the general structure of ethical action more clearly.

Reason identifies the central theme of world history, which gives it meaning: ‘the progress of the consciousness of freedom’; and it articulates this theme in a threefold structure (using a terminology not employed by Hegel himself): synchronic (pattern), diachronic (progress), and surchronic (see chapter 5). The first two of these structures are examined in chapters 2–4. From a synchronic perspective, freedom takes shape through the interweaving of the divine idea and human passions: history is a divine-human production. Viewed diachronically, freedom unfolds through stages of historical development: one is free (the Oriental world), some are free (the Greek and Roman worlds), and human beings as such are free (the Germanic/European world). History has a beginning, a progression, and an end.

The introduction reflects on the methodological and theoretical approaches used by the authors in their discussions of ancient festivals. A few central dichotomous concepts structure the introduction: synchronic vs. diachronic presentations, content and form (in which are hidden concepts like ritual processes, performance, communication, and symbols), sacred and secular, memory and identity (including concepts such as exclusion, rejection, and incorporation), individual and collective.