Finiteness, nominalization, and information structure
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Walter Bisang
Abstract
The correlation between finiteness and nominalization is frequently discussed in the literature. This paper will introduce information structure as a third factor that has an important impact on processes of grammaticalization. Nominalized verb forms can be used in the formation of relative clauses and clefting. With these functions, they can become part of focus constructions. At a subsequent stage, they are reanalyzed either as finite forms with tense-aspect functions or as markers of stance. With the integration of the focus function of nominalized verb forms, a considerable part of what is described as insubordination (Evans 2007) can be explained in terms of a grammaticalization process, moving from the use in a focus construction to the reanalysis as a finite form.
Abstract
The correlation between finiteness and nominalization is frequently discussed in the literature. This paper will introduce information structure as a third factor that has an important impact on processes of grammaticalization. Nominalized verb forms can be used in the formation of relative clauses and clefting. With these functions, they can become part of focus constructions. At a subsequent stage, they are reanalyzed either as finite forms with tense-aspect functions or as markers of stance. With the integration of the focus function of nominalized verb forms, a considerable part of what is described as insubordination (Evans 2007) can be explained in terms of a grammaticalization process, moving from the use in a focus construction to the reanalysis as a finite form.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- Finiteness and nominalization 1
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PART I. Finiteness, nominalization and information structure
- Finiteness, nominalization, and information structure 13
- Exploring finiteness and non-finiteness in Pima Bajo (Uto-Aztecan) 43
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PART II. Correlation between continuum of finiteness and scale from dependent to independent clause
- Finiteness in Haruai 71
- Non-finite chain-medial clauses on the continuum of finiteness in Purepecha 83
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PART III. Nominalization structures and their relation to the scale of finiteness
- The evolution of grammatical nominalizations in Cahita languages 107
- On the tightrope between infinitives and action nouns 141
- Referential markers in Oceanic nominalized constructions 171
- The role of nominalization in theticity 205
- On non-finiteness and canonical imperatives 243
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PART IV. Diachronic process: re-finitization and finitization
- Nominalization and re-finitization 271
- Shifting finiteness in nominalization 297
- The Manner converb in Beja (Cushitic) and its refinitization 323
- On finitization 345
- Language Index 371
- Name Index 373
- Subject Index 377
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- Finiteness and nominalization 1
-
PART I. Finiteness, nominalization and information structure
- Finiteness, nominalization, and information structure 13
- Exploring finiteness and non-finiteness in Pima Bajo (Uto-Aztecan) 43
-
PART II. Correlation between continuum of finiteness and scale from dependent to independent clause
- Finiteness in Haruai 71
- Non-finite chain-medial clauses on the continuum of finiteness in Purepecha 83
-
PART III. Nominalization structures and their relation to the scale of finiteness
- The evolution of grammatical nominalizations in Cahita languages 107
- On the tightrope between infinitives and action nouns 141
- Referential markers in Oceanic nominalized constructions 171
- The role of nominalization in theticity 205
- On non-finiteness and canonical imperatives 243
-
PART IV. Diachronic process: re-finitization and finitization
- Nominalization and re-finitization 271
- Shifting finiteness in nominalization 297
- The Manner converb in Beja (Cushitic) and its refinitization 323
- On finitization 345
- Language Index 371
- Name Index 373
- Subject Index 377
