Bettelou Los
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199274765
- eISBN:
- 9780191705885
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199274765.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Historical Linguistics
This book describes the historical emergence and spread of the to-infinitive in English. It shows that to + infinitive emerged from a reanalysis of the preposition to plus a deverbal nominalization, ...
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This book describes the historical emergence and spread of the to-infinitive in English. It shows that to + infinitive emerged from a reanalysis of the preposition to plus a deverbal nominalization, which spread first to purpose clauses, then to other non-finite environments. The book challenges the traditional reasoning that infinitives must have been nouns in Old English because they inflected for dative case and can follow prepositions. In fact, as early as Old English, the to-infinitive was established in most of the environments in which it is found today, and its syntactic behaviour clearly shows that it is already a clause rather than a phrase at this early date. Its spread was largely due to competition with finite subjunctive that-clauses, which it gradually replaced. Later chapters consider Middle English developments. The book provides a measured evaluation of the evidence that the infinitive marker to undergoes a period of degrammaticalization. It concludes that the extent to which to gains syntactic freedom in Middle English is due to the fact that speakers began to equate it with the modal verbs, and therefore to treat it syntactically as a modal verb. The rise of to-infinitival Exceptional Case-Marking constructions is a Middle English innovation, triggered by changes in information structure that were in turn caused by the loss of verb-second.Less
This book describes the historical emergence and spread of the to-infinitive in English. It shows that to + infinitive emerged from a reanalysis of the preposition to plus a deverbal nominalization, which spread first to purpose clauses, then to other non-finite environments. The book challenges the traditional reasoning that infinitives must have been nouns in Old English because they inflected for dative case and can follow prepositions. In fact, as early as Old English, the to-infinitive was established in most of the environments in which it is found today, and its syntactic behaviour clearly shows that it is already a clause rather than a phrase at this early date. Its spread was largely due to competition with finite subjunctive that-clauses, which it gradually replaced. Later chapters consider Middle English developments. The book provides a measured evaluation of the evidence that the infinitive marker to undergoes a period of degrammaticalization. It concludes that the extent to which to gains syntactic freedom in Middle English is due to the fact that speakers began to equate it with the modal verbs, and therefore to treat it syntactically as a modal verb. The rise of to-infinitival Exceptional Case-Marking constructions is a Middle English innovation, triggered by changes in information structure that were in turn caused by the loss of verb-second.
Regina Pustet
- Published in print:
- 2003
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199258505
- eISBN:
- 9780191717727
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199258505.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Semantics and Pragmatics, Syntax and Morphology
Copulas (in English, the verb to be) are conventionally defined functionally as a means of relating elements of clause structure, especially subject and complement, and considered to be semantically ...
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Copulas (in English, the verb to be) are conventionally defined functionally as a means of relating elements of clause structure, especially subject and complement, and considered to be semantically empty or meaningless. They have received relatively little attention from linguists. This book goes some way towards correcting this neglect. In doing so it takes issue with both accepted definition and description. The book presents an analysis of grammatical descriptions of more than 160 languages drawn from the language families of the world. The book shows that some languages have a single copula, others several, and some none at all. In a series of statistical analyses it seeks to explain why by linking the distribution of copulas to variations in lexical categorization and syntactic structure. The book concludes by advancing a comprehensive theory of copularization which it relates to language classification and to theories of language change, notably grammaticalization.Less
Copulas (in English, the verb to be) are conventionally defined functionally as a means of relating elements of clause structure, especially subject and complement, and considered to be semantically empty or meaningless. They have received relatively little attention from linguists. This book goes some way towards correcting this neglect. In doing so it takes issue with both accepted definition and description. The book presents an analysis of grammatical descriptions of more than 160 languages drawn from the language families of the world. The book shows that some languages have a single copula, others several, and some none at all. In a series of statistical analyses it seeks to explain why by linking the distribution of copulas to variations in lexical categorization and syntactic structure. The book concludes by advancing a comprehensive theory of copularization which it relates to language classification and to theories of language change, notably grammaticalization.
Tania Kuteva and Bernd Heine
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- May 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199298495
- eISBN:
- 9780191711442
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199298495.003.0009
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Historical Linguistics
This chapter shows that grammaticalization theory can explain not only the regular patterns, the non-exceptions, but also the exceptions. For both of these, it is not only language-internal ...
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This chapter shows that grammaticalization theory can explain not only the regular patterns, the non-exceptions, but also the exceptions. For both of these, it is not only language-internal grammaticalization but also contact-induced grammaticalization that is important. It discusses two situations relating to the area of definiteness marking in European languages. Employing the theoretical apparatus of a so-called integrative grammaticalization theory — that is, a theory of grammaticalization taking into account both contact-related and non-contact-related situations — an explanation of these seeming ‘exceptions’ is proposed in terms of (i) a diachronic overlap stage in the course of language-internal grammaticalization and (ii) both a diachronic overlap stage and a synchronic Buffer Zone in the case of contact induced grammaticalization. In the latter case, the two explanations reinforce each other, and are fully in accordance with the insight gained from the study of areal grammaticalization: contact-induced grammaticalization simultaneously implies both external and internal language change.Less
This chapter shows that grammaticalization theory can explain not only the regular patterns, the non-exceptions, but also the exceptions. For both of these, it is not only language-internal grammaticalization but also contact-induced grammaticalization that is important. It discusses two situations relating to the area of definiteness marking in European languages. Employing the theoretical apparatus of a so-called integrative grammaticalization theory — that is, a theory of grammaticalization taking into account both contact-related and non-contact-related situations — an explanation of these seeming ‘exceptions’ is proposed in terms of (i) a diachronic overlap stage in the course of language-internal grammaticalization and (ii) both a diachronic overlap stage and a synchronic Buffer Zone in the case of contact induced grammaticalization. In the latter case, the two explanations reinforce each other, and are fully in accordance with the insight gained from the study of areal grammaticalization: contact-induced grammaticalization simultaneously implies both external and internal language change.
Gregory D.S. Anderson
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199280315
- eISBN:
- 9780191707186
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199280315.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Language Families
This book presents findings from a long-term study of a range of complex predicate types subsumed under the heading, Auxiliary Verb Constructions (AVCs), drawing on a database of over 800 languages. ...
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This book presents findings from a long-term study of a range of complex predicate types subsumed under the heading, Auxiliary Verb Constructions (AVCs), drawing on a database of over 800 languages. Chapter 1 discusses how the terms auxiliary verb and auxiliary verb construction are understood, and then provides an overview of the kinds of functional categories that AVCs serve to encode. A cursory typology is offered of the patterns of encoding inflectional/morphosyntactic/ functional semantic categories in AVCs, and notions of functional and formal headedness within AVCs are introduced. Five macro-patterns of inflection emerge, each with several sub-patterns. Chapters 2 to 5 are dedicated to the presentation of the varied sub-types of inflectional patterns seen in AVCs. These are called the AUX-headed, LEX-headed, doubled, and the split and split/doubled patterns. Each of these is extensively exemplified. In the final two chapters, various aspects of the diachronic origins of AVCs are discussed. Chapter 6 discusses where AVCs go once they have been grammaticalized, offering a range of complex verb forms that have derived from each of the inflectional macro-patterns of AVCs. Chapter 7 discusses diachronic origins of AVCs. This includes a discussion of both typical lexical source semantics for the grammaticalization paths of individual functional subtypes of AVC as well as the syntactic source construction types for each of the five macro-patterns and some of their more common sub-patterns. These source constructions draw into the discussion of how auxiliary verb constructions fit within the broadest possible typology of complex predicate phenomena. It offers an analysis of not only AVCs, but also such related complex predicate phenomena as serial verb constructions, verb complement structures, coordinate and clause chaining constructions, ‘light’ verbs, etc.Less
This book presents findings from a long-term study of a range of complex predicate types subsumed under the heading, Auxiliary Verb Constructions (AVCs), drawing on a database of over 800 languages. Chapter 1 discusses how the terms auxiliary verb and auxiliary verb construction are understood, and then provides an overview of the kinds of functional categories that AVCs serve to encode. A cursory typology is offered of the patterns of encoding inflectional/morphosyntactic/ functional semantic categories in AVCs, and notions of functional and formal headedness within AVCs are introduced. Five macro-patterns of inflection emerge, each with several sub-patterns. Chapters 2 to 5 are dedicated to the presentation of the varied sub-types of inflectional patterns seen in AVCs. These are called the AUX-headed, LEX-headed, doubled, and the split and split/doubled patterns. Each of these is extensively exemplified. In the final two chapters, various aspects of the diachronic origins of AVCs are discussed. Chapter 6 discusses where AVCs go once they have been grammaticalized, offering a range of complex verb forms that have derived from each of the inflectional macro-patterns of AVCs. Chapter 7 discusses diachronic origins of AVCs. This includes a discussion of both typical lexical source semantics for the grammaticalization paths of individual functional subtypes of AVC as well as the syntactic source construction types for each of the five macro-patterns and some of their more common sub-patterns. These source constructions draw into the discussion of how auxiliary verb constructions fit within the broadest possible typology of complex predicate phenomena. It offers an analysis of not only AVCs, but also such related complex predicate phenomena as serial verb constructions, verb complement structures, coordinate and clause chaining constructions, ‘light’ verbs, etc.
Heiko Narrog
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199694372
- eISBN:
- 9780191742279
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199694372.003.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Semantics and Pragmatics
Goals of this book — theoretical orientation/principles of the approach
Goals of this book — theoretical orientation/principles of the approach
Elly van Gelderen
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199545872
- eISBN:
- 9780191720369
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199545872.003.0012
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics, Psycholinguistics / Neurolinguistics / Cognitive Linguistics
Estimates about the origin of modern human language range from 50,000 to 150,000 years ago. These estimates are based on archeological findings, the presence of tools and beads in e.g. the Blombos ...
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Estimates about the origin of modern human language range from 50,000 to 150,000 years ago. These estimates are based on archeological findings, the presence of tools and beads in e.g. the Blombos cave at 70,000 years ago, and mutations in a gene connected to speech (FOXP2) at about 120,000 years ago. Genetics and archeology work well together and suggest a homeland for modern humans in Africa. What can linguistics contribute to this picture? This chapter shows that a biolinguistic approach has much to offer. The chapter is organized as follows. Section 12.2 presents a very general picture of the Minimalist Program, and in particular its biolinguistic focus. This framework is elaborated on in Section 12.3, especially where the operation Merge is concerned. Sections 12.4 and 12.5 focus on grammaticalization, discussing how it follows from economy and how it is relevant to language evolution; Section 12.6 concludes.Less
Estimates about the origin of modern human language range from 50,000 to 150,000 years ago. These estimates are based on archeological findings, the presence of tools and beads in e.g. the Blombos cave at 70,000 years ago, and mutations in a gene connected to speech (FOXP2) at about 120,000 years ago. Genetics and archeology work well together and suggest a homeland for modern humans in Africa. What can linguistics contribute to this picture? This chapter shows that a biolinguistic approach has much to offer. The chapter is organized as follows. Section 12.2 presents a very general picture of the Minimalist Program, and in particular its biolinguistic focus. This framework is elaborated on in Section 12.3, especially where the operation Merge is concerned. Sections 12.4 and 12.5 focus on grammaticalization, discussing how it follows from economy and how it is relevant to language evolution; Section 12.6 concludes.
Theodore Markopoulos
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199539857
- eISBN:
- 9780191716317
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199539857.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology, Historical Linguistics
This book investigates the development of three future‐referring constructions in Greek, namely “μέλλω / œχω / θέλω + Infinitive / complement clause” in the classical (5th–4th c. BC), the ...
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This book investigates the development of three future‐referring constructions in Greek, namely “μέλλω / œχω / θέλω + Infinitive / complement clause” in the classical (5th–4th c. BC), the Hellenistic–Roman (3rd c. BC–4th c. AD), the Early Medieval (5th–10th c. AD), and the Late Medieval period (11th–15th c. AD). Despite their co‐occurrence in all these periods, it is shown for the first time that these constructions were increasingly differentiated in terms of their semantic, syntactic, and sociolinguistic properties. The analysis sheds new light on these developments, since large parts are based on hitherto unknown material, drawn especially from papyri and non‐literary documents. The investigation is based on the functional–typological perspective of grammaticalization, and it pays particular attention to a variety of—often neglected—factors, such as language contact. The typological predictions concerning future‐referring forms are found lacking in some respects, and various modifications are proposed accordingly.Less
This book investigates the development of three future‐referring constructions in Greek, namely “μέλλω / œχω / θέλω + Infinitive / complement clause” in the classical (5th–4th c. BC), the Hellenistic–Roman (3rd c. BC–4th c. AD), the Early Medieval (5th–10th c. AD), and the Late Medieval period (11th–15th c. AD). Despite their co‐occurrence in all these periods, it is shown for the first time that these constructions were increasingly differentiated in terms of their semantic, syntactic, and sociolinguistic properties. The analysis sheds new light on these developments, since large parts are based on hitherto unknown material, drawn especially from papyri and non‐literary documents. The investigation is based on the functional–typological perspective of grammaticalization, and it pays particular attention to a variety of—often neglected—factors, such as language contact. The typological predictions concerning future‐referring forms are found lacking in some respects, and various modifications are proposed accordingly.
Bernd Heine and Tania Kuteva
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199297337
- eISBN:
- 9780191711220
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199297337.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics
The main goal of this book is to demonstrate that the languages and dialects of Europe are becoming increasingly alike. This unifying process — that goes at least as far back as the Roman empire — is ...
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The main goal of this book is to demonstrate that the languages and dialects of Europe are becoming increasingly alike. This unifying process — that goes at least as far back as the Roman empire — is accelerating and affects every one of Europe’s 150 or so languages, including those of different families such as Basque and Finnish. The changes are by no means restricted to lexical borrowing, but involve every grammatical aspect of the language. They are usually so minute that neither native speakers nor trained linguists notice them. But they accumulate and give rise to new grammatical structures that lead, in turn, to new patterns of areal relationship. The book describes linguistic transfer from one language to another in terms of grammatical replication, using grammaticalization theory as a framework. The linguistic domains covered in more detail are definite and indefinite articles, possession, case marking, and the relationship between questions and subordination.Less
The main goal of this book is to demonstrate that the languages and dialects of Europe are becoming increasingly alike. This unifying process — that goes at least as far back as the Roman empire — is accelerating and affects every one of Europe’s 150 or so languages, including those of different families such as Basque and Finnish. The changes are by no means restricted to lexical borrowing, but involve every grammatical aspect of the language. They are usually so minute that neither native speakers nor trained linguists notice them. But they accumulate and give rise to new grammatical structures that lead, in turn, to new patterns of areal relationship. The book describes linguistic transfer from one language to another in terms of grammatical replication, using grammaticalization theory as a framework. The linguistic domains covered in more detail are definite and indefinite articles, possession, case marking, and the relationship between questions and subordination.
Theodore Markopoulos
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199539857
- eISBN:
- 9780191716317
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199539857.003.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology, Historical Linguistics
The investigation of the future‐referring constructions follows the functional–typological framework of grammaticalization. This first chapter discusses some basic principles of the framework, and ...
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The investigation of the future‐referring constructions follows the functional–typological framework of grammaticalization. This first chapter discusses some basic principles of the framework, and highlights the reasons why it is chosen over the generative grammar paradigm. It also introduces the notion of Auxiliary Verb Construction (AVC), which will be employed in the analysis of the future‐referring constructions (FCs), instead of the misty notion of “periphrasis”. Finally, it illustrates the reason why such a study was clearly missing from the literature on the history of the Greek language.Less
The investigation of the future‐referring constructions follows the functional–typological framework of grammaticalization. This first chapter discusses some basic principles of the framework, and highlights the reasons why it is chosen over the generative grammar paradigm. It also introduces the notion of Auxiliary Verb Construction (AVC), which will be employed in the analysis of the future‐referring constructions (FCs), instead of the misty notion of “periphrasis”. Finally, it illustrates the reason why such a study was clearly missing from the literature on the history of the Greek language.
Theodore Markopoulos
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199539857
- eISBN:
- 9780191716317
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199539857.003.0006
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology, Historical Linguistics
This chapter concludes the investigation. It summarizes some basic points of the discussion, placing emphasis on the occasional divergence between the findings of the investigation and predictions of ...
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This chapter concludes the investigation. It summarizes some basic points of the discussion, placing emphasis on the occasional divergence between the findings of the investigation and predictions of the relevant literature. This gives rise to suggested modifications on cognitive schemas, while the need for the sociolinguistic parameter to be properly considered in grammaticalization studies is also stressed on the basis of developments found to have occurred in the case of the Greek AVCs.Less
This chapter concludes the investigation. It summarizes some basic points of the discussion, placing emphasis on the occasional divergence between the findings of the investigation and predictions of the relevant literature. This gives rise to suggested modifications on cognitive schemas, while the need for the sociolinguistic parameter to be properly considered in grammaticalization studies is also stressed on the basis of developments found to have occurred in the case of the Greek AVCs.
Pietro Bortone
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199556854
- eISBN:
- 9780191721571
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199556854.003.0003
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology
Chapter 3 considers the historical development of adpositions. It traces the origin of cases in postpositions, and of adpositions, from nouns, verbs, adjectives, or more complex phrases. The ...
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Chapter 3 considers the historical development of adpositions. It traces the origin of cases in postpositions, and of adpositions, from nouns, verbs, adjectives, or more complex phrases. The development of an abstract meaning from a spatial one is well‐attested but not on a systematic scale.Less
Chapter 3 considers the historical development of adpositions. It traces the origin of cases in postpositions, and of adpositions, from nouns, verbs, adjectives, or more complex phrases. The development of an abstract meaning from a spatial one is well‐attested but not on a systematic scale.
Gregory D. S. Anderson
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199280315
- eISBN:
- 9780191707186
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199280315.003.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Language Families
This chapter offers an overview of the terms auxiliary verb, auxiliary verb construction, inflection, and head[edness]. It discusses the typology of inflectional properties, and semantic and ...
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This chapter offers an overview of the terms auxiliary verb, auxiliary verb construction, inflection, and head[edness]. It discusses the typology of inflectional properties, and semantic and syntactic developments that form the basis of the subsequent individual chapters.Less
This chapter offers an overview of the terms auxiliary verb, auxiliary verb construction, inflection, and head[edness]. It discusses the typology of inflectional properties, and semantic and syntactic developments that form the basis of the subsequent individual chapters.
Gregory D. S. Anderson
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199280315
- eISBN:
- 9780191707186
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199280315.003.0007
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Language Families
This chapter discusses the historical syntax, morphosyntax, and semantics of the developments of auxiliary verb constructions. It begins with an overview of the original structures that gave rise to ...
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This chapter discusses the historical syntax, morphosyntax, and semantics of the developments of auxiliary verb constructions. It begins with an overview of the original structures that gave rise to the patterns themselves, specifically the constructions that give rise to the various inflectional subtypes of auxiliary verb constructions from the perspective of their diachronic relation to serial verb constructions, verb plus clausal complement structures, and clause-chaining formations. Thus, the five inflectional macro-patterns of auxiliary verb constructions attested across the languages of the world are to be explained by their diverse heterogeneous constructional source pool. The particular configurations of combinations of source verbs of differing valence and morphosyntactic properties yield the diverse set of functional constructions attested. This chapter also discusses in brief the historical semantic processes of grammaticalization reflected in the development of auxiliary verb constructions, classifying different typical paths of lexical to functional semantic specialization. It is shown that the semantic-pragmatic paths of development of the specific sub-types of lexical classes of predicates into indexes of functional categories follow particular and relatively straightforward shifts and specializations with respect to individual classes of auxiliaries in the process of their grammaticalization.Less
This chapter discusses the historical syntax, morphosyntax, and semantics of the developments of auxiliary verb constructions. It begins with an overview of the original structures that gave rise to the patterns themselves, specifically the constructions that give rise to the various inflectional subtypes of auxiliary verb constructions from the perspective of their diachronic relation to serial verb constructions, verb plus clausal complement structures, and clause-chaining formations. Thus, the five inflectional macro-patterns of auxiliary verb constructions attested across the languages of the world are to be explained by their diverse heterogeneous constructional source pool. The particular configurations of combinations of source verbs of differing valence and morphosyntactic properties yield the diverse set of functional constructions attested. This chapter also discusses in brief the historical semantic processes of grammaticalization reflected in the development of auxiliary verb constructions, classifying different typical paths of lexical to functional semantic specialization. It is shown that the semantic-pragmatic paths of development of the specific sub-types of lexical classes of predicates into indexes of functional categories follow particular and relatively straightforward shifts and specializations with respect to individual classes of auxiliaries in the process of their grammaticalization.
John M. Anderson
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199297078
- eISBN:
- 9780191711404
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199297078.003.0007
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Semantics and Pragmatics
This chapter focuses on grammatical relations. The very doubtful status of various kinds of ‘objects’ is recognized. Moreover, subjecthood, as traditionally understood, is not universal. Subjecthood ...
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This chapter focuses on grammatical relations. The very doubtful status of various kinds of ‘objects’ is recognized. Moreover, subjecthood, as traditionally understood, is not universal. Subjecthood depends on a hierarchy manifested by the sharing of morphosyntax between non-locative sources (agents) on the one hand, and absolutives in non-locative-source sentences (Bill felled the tree/The tree fell) on the other. Some languages lack such a pairing. For instance, some (e.g., Tagalog) show a grammatical relation that is not selected on the basis of a hierarchy of semantic relations; in others (such as Dyirbal) the absolutive rather than the source tops the hierarchy. These grammatical relations are routinizations (‘grammaticalized’), with diminished basis in semantics/pragmatics. However, they have a functional role in the syntax, e.g., as a reconstructible ‘empty slot’. Languages are not restricted to one system of grammatical relation, one kind of principal.Less
This chapter focuses on grammatical relations. The very doubtful status of various kinds of ‘objects’ is recognized. Moreover, subjecthood, as traditionally understood, is not universal. Subjecthood depends on a hierarchy manifested by the sharing of morphosyntax between non-locative sources (agents) on the one hand, and absolutives in non-locative-source sentences (Bill felled the tree/The tree fell) on the other. Some languages lack such a pairing. For instance, some (e.g., Tagalog) show a grammatical relation that is not selected on the basis of a hierarchy of semantic relations; in others (such as Dyirbal) the absolutive rather than the source tops the hierarchy. These grammatical relations are routinizations (‘grammaticalized’), with diminished basis in semantics/pragmatics. However, they have a functional role in the syntax, e.g., as a reconstructible ‘empty slot’. Languages are not restricted to one system of grammatical relation, one kind of principal.
Geert Booij
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199226245
- eISBN:
- 9780191710360
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199226245.003.0011
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology
Word formation processes lead to lexical innovation, and hence to changes in the lexical conventions of a language. Borrowing is another form of lexical innovation. Existing complex words are subject ...
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Word formation processes lead to lexical innovation, and hence to changes in the lexical conventions of a language. Borrowing is another form of lexical innovation. Existing complex words are subject to processes of erosion, with the effect that they might lose their transparency. New complex words also arise in the course of history through the processes of grammaticalization and univerbation. Language users inspect their language system continuously, which may lead to reanalysis of complex words and changes in the morphology of a language.Less
Word formation processes lead to lexical innovation, and hence to changes in the lexical conventions of a language. Borrowing is another form of lexical innovation. Existing complex words are subject to processes of erosion, with the effect that they might lose their transparency. New complex words also arise in the course of history through the processes of grammaticalization and univerbation. Language users inspect their language system continuously, which may lead to reanalysis of complex words and changes in the morphology of a language.
William Croft
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198299554
- eISBN:
- 9780191708091
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198299554.003.0003
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology
Radical Construction Grammar, like other construction grammars, treats constructions as pairings of form and meaning, and like typology, uses meaning as the basis for crosslinguistic comparison. ...
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Radical Construction Grammar, like other construction grammars, treats constructions as pairings of form and meaning, and like typology, uses meaning as the basis for crosslinguistic comparison. Semantic or linguistic relativity poses a potential problem for Radical Construction Grammar, because it hypothesizes that meaning varies depending on the formal constructions used. This chapter argues that arguments for semantic relativity contain several hidden assumptions which are implausible: contrast across languages implies contrast within a language; semantic analyses always involve monosemy, not polysemy; linguistic analyses must avoid syntagmatic semantic redundancy; and one can only posit a relativistic analysis of one part of a construction by assuming a universal analysis of another part of the construction (the Semantic Uncertainty Principle). Instead, grammatical differences are the result of different patterns of semantic extension and grammaticalization, and semantic change eventually reasserts the universal semantics of particular situation types.Less
Radical Construction Grammar, like other construction grammars, treats constructions as pairings of form and meaning, and like typology, uses meaning as the basis for crosslinguistic comparison. Semantic or linguistic relativity poses a potential problem for Radical Construction Grammar, because it hypothesizes that meaning varies depending on the formal constructions used. This chapter argues that arguments for semantic relativity contain several hidden assumptions which are implausible: contrast across languages implies contrast within a language; semantic analyses always involve monosemy, not polysemy; linguistic analyses must avoid syntagmatic semantic redundancy; and one can only posit a relativistic analysis of one part of a construction by assuming a universal analysis of another part of the construction (the Semantic Uncertainty Principle). Instead, grammatical differences are the result of different patterns of semantic extension and grammaticalization, and semantic change eventually reasserts the universal semantics of particular situation types.
William Croft
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198299554
- eISBN:
- 9780191708091
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198299554.003.0007
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology
This chapter offers an analysis of heads, arguments and adjuncts in terms of the symbolic relation between the syntactic unit and the semantic structure of the construction. The various syntactic ...
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This chapter offers an analysis of heads, arguments and adjuncts in terms of the symbolic relation between the syntactic unit and the semantic structure of the construction. The various syntactic tests proposed to identify syntactic heads are invalid or do not match, since they are manifestations of different phenomena. The chapter turns to semantic definitions, and revises the Cognitive Grammar definition to profile equivalence (the denotation of the head is equivalent to that of the construction as a whole). This definition does not differentiate between lexical and functional heads, but the grammaticalization and fusion of functional elements to the lexical heads implies a further condition that defines the lexical profile equivalent as the head. The argument-adjunct distinction behaves differently for form and meaning. Semantically, it is gradient, in terms of valence. Syntactically, the difference corresponds to whether the null instantiation of the unit is free (adjunct) or definite (argument).Less
This chapter offers an analysis of heads, arguments and adjuncts in terms of the symbolic relation between the syntactic unit and the semantic structure of the construction. The various syntactic tests proposed to identify syntactic heads are invalid or do not match, since they are manifestations of different phenomena. The chapter turns to semantic definitions, and revises the Cognitive Grammar definition to profile equivalence (the denotation of the head is equivalent to that of the construction as a whole). This definition does not differentiate between lexical and functional heads, but the grammaticalization and fusion of functional elements to the lexical heads implies a further condition that defines the lexical profile equivalent as the head. The argument-adjunct distinction behaves differently for form and meaning. Semantically, it is gradient, in terms of valence. Syntactically, the difference corresponds to whether the null instantiation of the unit is free (adjunct) or definite (argument).
William Croft
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198299554
- eISBN:
- 9780191708091
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198299554.003.0008
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology
Some constructions are claimed to be universal, including the passive and the inverse voice constructions. In fact, the syntactic properties used to define passive and inverse constructions, and ...
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Some constructions are claimed to be universal, including the passive and the inverse voice constructions. In fact, the syntactic properties used to define passive and inverse constructions, and contrast them with active/direct constructions, do not coincide across languages. This chapter surveys the great diversity of voice constructions across languages to demonstrate that there is no universal structural definition of passive and inverse constructions. Instead, one must construct a syntactic space to represent the continuum of structural properties of voice constructions across languages. But this continuum is constrained, both in terms of the structural properties of the voice construction and the function of the construction. The more salient/topical participant will be coded with the typologically less marked, more subject-like structural properties, and the less salient participant will be coded with less subject-like properties. The continuum is also reinforced by the fact that constructions shift across the syntactic space via grammaticalization.Less
Some constructions are claimed to be universal, including the passive and the inverse voice constructions. In fact, the syntactic properties used to define passive and inverse constructions, and contrast them with active/direct constructions, do not coincide across languages. This chapter surveys the great diversity of voice constructions across languages to demonstrate that there is no universal structural definition of passive and inverse constructions. Instead, one must construct a syntactic space to represent the continuum of structural properties of voice constructions across languages. But this continuum is constrained, both in terms of the structural properties of the voice construction and the function of the construction. The more salient/topical participant will be coded with the typologically less marked, more subject-like structural properties, and the less salient participant will be coded with less subject-like properties. The continuum is also reinforced by the fact that constructions shift across the syntactic space via grammaticalization.
Geert Booij
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199226245
- eISBN:
- 9780191710360
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199226245.003.0004
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology
Compounding is the word formation process in which two or more lexemes are combined into a word. In neo-classical compounding, Greek or Latin roots are also used as building blocks. Compounding is a ...
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Compounding is the word formation process in which two or more lexemes are combined into a word. In neo-classical compounding, Greek or Latin roots are also used as building blocks. Compounding is a very productive process in many languages. It is sometimes complicated to determine if a sequence of word is to be considered a compound or a phrase. Compounding and derivation can be used simultaneously in the formation of synthetic compounds.Less
Compounding is the word formation process in which two or more lexemes are combined into a word. In neo-classical compounding, Greek or Latin roots are also used as building blocks. Compounding is a very productive process in many languages. It is sometimes complicated to determine if a sequence of word is to be considered a compound or a phrase. Compounding and derivation can be used simultaneously in the formation of synthetic compounds.
Bernd Heine and Tania Kuteva
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199297337
- eISBN:
- 9780191711220
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199297337.003.0008
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics
Contact-induced language change has been described as being highly variable and unpredictable. This chapter argues that there are both regularities and constraints in the way grammatical forms and ...
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Contact-induced language change has been described as being highly variable and unpredictable. This chapter argues that there are both regularities and constraints in the way grammatical forms and constructions behave in situations of language contact.Less
Contact-induced language change has been described as being highly variable and unpredictable. This chapter argues that there are both regularities and constraints in the way grammatical forms and constructions behave in situations of language contact.
