NN constructions in Modern Hebrew
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Dana Cohen
Abstract
This paper proposes structural analyses for several nominal reiteration constructions (NN) in Modern Hebrew which function as adverbials. The properties and distribution of these patterns indicate an interaction of nominal distinctions (number and mass/count denotation) with Aktionsart, suggesting that reiteration is derived through the insertion of the same lexical element twice into a regular syntactic structure, rather than involving specialized morphological derivation. Although all three constructions share a pluralizing semantic effect, it is argued that the notion of iconicity does not capture the intricacy of their interpretive properties. The proposed analysis ties these Hebrew constructions to related phenomena attested cross-linguistically, both reiterative and non-reiterative.
Abstract
This paper proposes structural analyses for several nominal reiteration constructions (NN) in Modern Hebrew which function as adverbials. The properties and distribution of these patterns indicate an interaction of nominal distinctions (number and mass/count denotation) with Aktionsart, suggesting that reiteration is derived through the insertion of the same lexical element twice into a regular syntactic structure, rather than involving specialized morphological derivation. Although all three constructions share a pluralizing semantic effect, it is argued that the notion of iconicity does not capture the intricacy of their interpretive properties. The proposed analysis ties these Hebrew constructions to related phenomena attested cross-linguistically, both reiterative and non-reiterative.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Reduplication beyond the word level 1
- The morphosyntax of non-iconic reduplications 27
- Verb focus in Haitian 77
- Verb doubling in Breton and Gungbe 135
- NN constructions in Modern Hebrew 175
- Attenuative verbal reduplication in Mauritian 203
- Reduplication in São Tomense 235
- Reiteration in Pichi 251
- Subject Index 285
- Language Index 287
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Reduplication beyond the word level 1
- The morphosyntax of non-iconic reduplications 27
- Verb focus in Haitian 77
- Verb doubling in Breton and Gungbe 135
- NN constructions in Modern Hebrew 175
- Attenuative verbal reduplication in Mauritian 203
- Reduplication in São Tomense 235
- Reiteration in Pichi 251
- Subject Index 285
- Language Index 287
