On the form and meaning of double noun incorporation
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Alessio Muro
Abstract
Noun Incorporation Constructions commonly involve one noun root and one verb root, but in some languages the verbal member may be compounded with two nominal roots, which almost always have the semantics of a theme and a non-theme (a problematic fact for Baker’s 1988 theory). Moreover, if the non-theme noun specifies instrument or manner, the linear order in which the two nouns appear may vary, one noun taking scope over the other. This fact too can be a problem for Baker’s theory, as well as for any theory making use of a fixed Thematic Hierarchy. By reviewing the most salient features of Noun Incorporation Constructions in general, a theoretical apparatus is proposed which dispenses with the notion of head movement in favor of XP movement, yet preserves the idea of a Thematic Hierarchy by means of a phase-based model of word formation.
Abstract
Noun Incorporation Constructions commonly involve one noun root and one verb root, but in some languages the verbal member may be compounded with two nominal roots, which almost always have the semantics of a theme and a non-theme (a problematic fact for Baker’s 1988 theory). Moreover, if the non-theme noun specifies instrument or manner, the linear order in which the two nouns appear may vary, one noun taking scope over the other. This fact too can be a problem for Baker’s theory, as well as for any theory making use of a fixed Thematic Hierarchy. By reviewing the most salient features of Noun Incorporation Constructions in general, a theoretical apparatus is proposed which dispenses with the notion of head movement in favor of XP movement, yet preserves the idea of a Thematic Hierarchy by means of a phase-based model of word formation.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
-
Editors’ introduction
- Morphology and meaning 3
-
Plenary papers
- Roots, concepts, and word structure 49
- Between word formation and meaning change 71
- Indirect coding 97
-
Section papers
- Diachrony and the polysemy of derivational affixes 127
- Possessive compounds in Slavic and the Principle of Integrated Meronymy 141
- Relation diversity and ease of processing for opaque and transparent English compounds 153
- Inflection vs. derivation 163
- Discrepancy between form and meaning in word-formation 177
- Compounds vs. phrases 191
- Semantic transparency, compounding, and the nature of independent variables 205
- The layering of form and meaning in creole word-formation 223
- Semantic headedness and categorization of - cum - compounds 239
- German plural doublets with and without meaning differentiation 249
- On the form and meaning of double noun incorporation 259
- Tuning morphosemantic transparency by shortening 275
- Root transparency and the morphology-meaning interface 289
- Mimetic verbs and meaning 303
- Mismatch verbs 315
- The canonical function of the deponent verbs in modern Greek 331
- Language index 345
- Subject index 347
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
-
Editors’ introduction
- Morphology and meaning 3
-
Plenary papers
- Roots, concepts, and word structure 49
- Between word formation and meaning change 71
- Indirect coding 97
-
Section papers
- Diachrony and the polysemy of derivational affixes 127
- Possessive compounds in Slavic and the Principle of Integrated Meronymy 141
- Relation diversity and ease of processing for opaque and transparent English compounds 153
- Inflection vs. derivation 163
- Discrepancy between form and meaning in word-formation 177
- Compounds vs. phrases 191
- Semantic transparency, compounding, and the nature of independent variables 205
- The layering of form and meaning in creole word-formation 223
- Semantic headedness and categorization of - cum - compounds 239
- German plural doublets with and without meaning differentiation 249
- On the form and meaning of double noun incorporation 259
- Tuning morphosemantic transparency by shortening 275
- Root transparency and the morphology-meaning interface 289
- Mimetic verbs and meaning 303
- Mismatch verbs 315
- The canonical function of the deponent verbs in modern Greek 331
- Language index 345
- Subject index 347
