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Chapter 6. The multiple facets of Papiamentu ku

  • Claire Lefebvre and Isabelle Therrien
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Functional Categories in Three Atlantic Creoles
This chapter is in the book Functional Categories in Three Atlantic Creoles

Abstract

This chapter bears on the properties of the morpheme ku in Papiamentu. This morpheme is a multifunctional lexical item that serves the functions of preposition, conjunction and complementizer. It is argued that the properties of ku require two lexical entries: ku1, which encompasses its functions as preposition and conjunction, and ku2, which describes its function as complementizer. The two lexical entries labeled as ku constitute a real case of homophony. It is argued that, while the properties of ku1 result from relabeling, followed by leveling, those of ku2 cannot be accounted for by this process in a straightforward way. Indeed, the synchronic properties of ku parallel those of the corresponding superstrate lexical entry rather than those of the corresponding substrate lexical entry. Several hypotheses will be considered in order to account for this state of affairs.

Abstract

This chapter bears on the properties of the morpheme ku in Papiamentu. This morpheme is a multifunctional lexical item that serves the functions of preposition, conjunction and complementizer. It is argued that the properties of ku require two lexical entries: ku1, which encompasses its functions as preposition and conjunction, and ku2, which describes its function as complementizer. The two lexical entries labeled as ku constitute a real case of homophony. It is argued that, while the properties of ku1 result from relabeling, followed by leveling, those of ku2 cannot be accounted for by this process in a straightforward way. Indeed, the synchronic properties of ku parallel those of the corresponding superstrate lexical entry rather than those of the corresponding substrate lexical entry. Several hypotheses will be considered in order to account for this state of affairs.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents vii
  3. Preface xv
  4. List of abbreviations xvii
  5. Chapter 1. Introduction 1
  6. Chapter 2. The nominal structures of Saramaccan, Fongbe and English with reference to Haitian Creole 17
  7. Chapter 3. Coordinating constructions in Fongbe with reference to Haitian Creole 69
  8. Chapter 4. The multifunctionality of Saramaccan táa 109
  9. Chapter 5. On the properties of Saramaccan fu 161
  10. Chapter 6. The multiple facets of Papiamentu ku 211
  11. Chapter 7. On the properties of Papiamentu pa 245
  12. Chapter 8. A new analysis of the Papiamentu clause structure 283
  13. Chapter 9. The properties of functional categories in the three creoles 317
  14. Chapter 10. Conclusion 345
  15. References 363
  16. Index of authors 381
  17. Index of subjects 385
https://doi.org/10.1075/cll.50.06ch6

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents vii
  3. Preface xv
  4. List of abbreviations xvii
  5. Chapter 1. Introduction 1
  6. Chapter 2. The nominal structures of Saramaccan, Fongbe and English with reference to Haitian Creole 17
  7. Chapter 3. Coordinating constructions in Fongbe with reference to Haitian Creole 69
  8. Chapter 4. The multifunctionality of Saramaccan táa 109
  9. Chapter 5. On the properties of Saramaccan fu 161
  10. Chapter 6. The multiple facets of Papiamentu ku 211
  11. Chapter 7. On the properties of Papiamentu pa 245
  12. Chapter 8. A new analysis of the Papiamentu clause structure 283
  13. Chapter 9. The properties of functional categories in the three creoles 317
  14. Chapter 10. Conclusion 345
  15. References 363
  16. Index of authors 381
  17. Index of subjects 385
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