The pre-conditions for suppletion
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Kersti Börjars
Abstract
Suppletion is a phenomenon which is unique to morphology. It represents extreme non-iconicity in the relation between form and function. Here we deal with what we call proper suppletion, i.e. where one paradigm has resulted from the interaction of two previous paradigms. Our aim is to establish what the conditions are that give rise to this (partial) merger of paradigms. We provide a detailed account of the development of an adjective in the Mainland Scandinavian languages which unexpectedly shows suppletion with respect to number (and in some cases definiteness). We conclude that development of suppletion is driven by semantic properties, and that frequency is in fact a derived property. Furthermore we argue that there must be an asymmetry between the participants, with one element being dominant.
Abstract
Suppletion is a phenomenon which is unique to morphology. It represents extreme non-iconicity in the relation between form and function. Here we deal with what we call proper suppletion, i.e. where one paradigm has resulted from the interaction of two previous paradigms. Our aim is to establish what the conditions are that give rise to this (partial) merger of paradigms. We provide a detailed account of the development of an adjective in the Mainland Scandinavian languages which unexpectedly shows suppletion with respect to number (and in some cases definiteness). We conclude that development of suppletion is driven by semantic properties, and that frequency is in fact a derived property. Furthermore we argue that there must be an asymmetry between the participants, with one element being dominant.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of contributors vii
- Preface ix
- Introduction 1
-
Part 1. Interfaces with syntax and phonology
- Case conflict in Greek free relatives 21
- There are no special clitics 57
- Inflectional morphology and syntax in correspondence 97
- At the boundary of morphology and syntax 137
-
Part 2. Interfaces with semantics and the lexicon
- The feature of tense at the interface of morphology and semantics 171
- The aspectual properties of nominalization structures 195
- Determiner and Noun phrase coordination in modern Greek 221
- The pre-conditions for suppletion 239
- Archi morphology from a lexicographic perspective 267
-
Part 3. Interfaces in psycholinguistics and language acquisition
- Morphology and syntax dissociation in SLA 291
- The role of morphology in grammatical gender assignment 321
- Index 351
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of contributors vii
- Preface ix
- Introduction 1
-
Part 1. Interfaces with syntax and phonology
- Case conflict in Greek free relatives 21
- There are no special clitics 57
- Inflectional morphology and syntax in correspondence 97
- At the boundary of morphology and syntax 137
-
Part 2. Interfaces with semantics and the lexicon
- The feature of tense at the interface of morphology and semantics 171
- The aspectual properties of nominalization structures 195
- Determiner and Noun phrase coordination in modern Greek 221
- The pre-conditions for suppletion 239
- Archi morphology from a lexicographic perspective 267
-
Part 3. Interfaces in psycholinguistics and language acquisition
- Morphology and syntax dissociation in SLA 291
- The role of morphology in grammatical gender assignment 321
- Index 351
