Word-class features and reduplicative meaning
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Haritini Kallergi
Abstract
Total reduplication (TR) of the type X X (as in Modern Greek vima “step” > vima vima “step by step”) has been discussed as a possible language universal (Stolz 2003/4, 2006). The meanings arising from reduplication are often considered a direct function of the word classes that the process applies to (Kiyomi 1995; Dixon & Aikhenvald 2004; Singh 2005). This paper explores the correlation of word classes with reduplicative meaning in a typological perspective and with special reference to TR in Modern Greek (MG). Typological evidence shows that instead of assumed general characteristics of word classes, particular lexical and morphosyntactic features of sub-classes within major classes seem to be responsible for the rise of certain meanings in reduplication. The features discussed here concern countability, plural marking and gradability of the lexical content of the MG bases for TR.
Abstract
Total reduplication (TR) of the type X X (as in Modern Greek vima “step” > vima vima “step by step”) has been discussed as a possible language universal (Stolz 2003/4, 2006). The meanings arising from reduplication are often considered a direct function of the word classes that the process applies to (Kiyomi 1995; Dixon & Aikhenvald 2004; Singh 2005). This paper explores the correlation of word classes with reduplicative meaning in a typological perspective and with special reference to TR in Modern Greek (MG). Typological evidence shows that instead of assumed general characteristics of word classes, particular lexical and morphosyntactic features of sub-classes within major classes seem to be responsible for the rise of certain meanings in reduplication. The features discussed here concern countability, plural marking and gradability of the lexical content of the MG bases for TR.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Foreword and acknowledgements vii
- Introduction 1
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PART I. Types of word classes
- Carving verb classes from corpora 17
- Classes of creation verbs 37
- On Light Nouns 51
- The ‘new adjectives’ of Tswana 75
- The Chinese adjective as a word class 95
- Qualifying modifier encoding and adjectival typology 119
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PART II. Minor and neglected word classes
- Hungarian is a classifier language 141
- Cardinal numerals 161
- On the borders of neglected word classes 181
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PART III. Across word classes
- Between adjective and noun 203
- On decategorization and its relevance in German 227
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PART IV. Radical views: Do we really need word classes?
- Word-class features and reduplicative meaning 245
- Half and other unique words 263
- Index of languages 283
- Index of names 285
- Index of subjects 289
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Foreword and acknowledgements vii
- Introduction 1
-
PART I. Types of word classes
- Carving verb classes from corpora 17
- Classes of creation verbs 37
- On Light Nouns 51
- The ‘new adjectives’ of Tswana 75
- The Chinese adjective as a word class 95
- Qualifying modifier encoding and adjectival typology 119
-
PART II. Minor and neglected word classes
- Hungarian is a classifier language 141
- Cardinal numerals 161
- On the borders of neglected word classes 181
-
PART III. Across word classes
- Between adjective and noun 203
- On decategorization and its relevance in German 227
-
PART IV. Radical views: Do we really need word classes?
- Word-class features and reduplicative meaning 245
- Half and other unique words 263
- Index of languages 283
- Index of names 285
- Index of subjects 289
