Analyzing polysemy in Estonian
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Annika Küngas
Abstract
In this article, one word in the Estonian literary language (täpselt ‘exactly, precisely’) is described over the past eighty years. Examples from written Estonian fiction and journalism reveal the emergence of parallel functions of täpselt, showing that it is mainly used as an adverb but can also function as a pragmatic marker. The study shows the use of this word and the frequency with which it has been used in its evolving functions. Quantitative analysis is performed to show how the function of täpselt in a specific clause is connected with predictors that determine the nature of the word. The methods used here may also be applied to study other polysemous items in Estonian, as well as other languages.
Abstract
In this article, one word in the Estonian literary language (täpselt ‘exactly, precisely’) is described over the past eighty years. Examples from written Estonian fiction and journalism reveal the emergence of parallel functions of täpselt, showing that it is mainly used as an adverb but can also function as a pragmatic marker. The study shows the use of this word and the frequency with which it has been used in its evolving functions. Quantitative analysis is performed to show how the function of täpselt in a specific clause is connected with predictors that determine the nature of the word. The methods used here may also be applied to study other polysemous items in Estonian, as well as other languages.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
-
Introduction
- Diachronic corpus pragmatics 3
-
Words
- I had lost sight of them then for a bit, but I went on pretty fast 29
- Grammaticalisation of the Finnish stance adverbial muka , ‘as if, supposedly, allegedly’ 53
- From degree/manner adverbs to pragmatic particles in Japanese 77
- Analyzing polysemy in Estonian 107
- On the development of the Italian truth adverbs davvero and veramente 133
-
Phrases and clauses
- “Strong churlish purging Pills” 157
- On the origin of clausal parenthetical constructions 189
- Tracing the history of deontic NCI patterns in Dutch 213
- Front field negation in spoken Swedish 237
-
Utterances and dialogues
- Complimenting in the history of American English 257
- Exploring verbal aggression in English historical texts using USAS 277
- A matter of tradition and good advice 303
- Language index 329
- Name index 331
- Subject index 333
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
-
Introduction
- Diachronic corpus pragmatics 3
-
Words
- I had lost sight of them then for a bit, but I went on pretty fast 29
- Grammaticalisation of the Finnish stance adverbial muka , ‘as if, supposedly, allegedly’ 53
- From degree/manner adverbs to pragmatic particles in Japanese 77
- Analyzing polysemy in Estonian 107
- On the development of the Italian truth adverbs davvero and veramente 133
-
Phrases and clauses
- “Strong churlish purging Pills” 157
- On the origin of clausal parenthetical constructions 189
- Tracing the history of deontic NCI patterns in Dutch 213
- Front field negation in spoken Swedish 237
-
Utterances and dialogues
- Complimenting in the history of American English 257
- Exploring verbal aggression in English historical texts using USAS 277
- A matter of tradition and good advice 303
- Language index 329
- Name index 331
- Subject index 333
