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On finitization

  • Françoise Rose
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Finiteness and Nominalization
This chapter is in the book Finiteness and Nominalization

Abstract

Most diachronic studies dealing with finiteness are centered on the functional shift between main and dependent clause status. In contrast, this paper focuses on the acquisition of morphosyntactic finiteness features by a non-finite dependent construction that remains dependent, namely “finitization.” Givón (2011) suggests a theoretical distinction between “gradual” and “instantaneous” finitization, depending on whether the intermediate stage of the evolution involves mixed finite/non-finite morphosyntax or a variation between finite and non-finite clauses. The main findings of this paper are that, first, diachronic data from various languages attest to both these theoretical models, and second, that this distinction does not reside in the diachronic mechanisms at play (reanalysis or extension), but rather in the functional motivation for the change.

Abstract

Most diachronic studies dealing with finiteness are centered on the functional shift between main and dependent clause status. In contrast, this paper focuses on the acquisition of morphosyntactic finiteness features by a non-finite dependent construction that remains dependent, namely “finitization.” Givón (2011) suggests a theoretical distinction between “gradual” and “instantaneous” finitization, depending on whether the intermediate stage of the evolution involves mixed finite/non-finite morphosyntax or a variation between finite and non-finite clauses. The main findings of this paper are that, first, diachronic data from various languages attest to both these theoretical models, and second, that this distinction does not reside in the diachronic mechanisms at play (reanalysis or extension), but rather in the functional motivation for the change.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgments vii
  4. Finiteness and nominalization 1
  5. PART I. Finiteness, nominalization and information structure
  6. Finiteness, nominalization, and information structure 13
  7. Exploring finiteness and non-finiteness in Pima Bajo (Uto-Aztecan) 43
  8. PART II. Correlation between continuum of finiteness and scale from dependent to independent clause
  9. Finiteness in Haruai 71
  10. Non-finite chain-medial clauses on the continuum of finiteness in Purepecha 83
  11. PART III. Nominalization structures and their relation to the scale of finiteness
  12. The evolution of grammatical nominalizations in Cahita languages 107
  13. On the tightrope between infinitives and action nouns 141
  14. Referential markers in Oceanic nominalized constructions 171
  15. The role of nominalization in theticity 205
  16. On non-finiteness and canonical imperatives 243
  17. PART IV. Diachronic process: re-finitization and finitization
  18. Nominalization and re-finitization 271
  19. Shifting finiteness in nominalization 297
  20. The Manner converb in Beja (Cushitic) and its refinitization 323
  21. On finitization 345
  22. Language Index 371
  23. Name Index 373
  24. Subject Index 377
https://doi.org/10.1075/tsl.113.14ros

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgments vii
  4. Finiteness and nominalization 1
  5. PART I. Finiteness, nominalization and information structure
  6. Finiteness, nominalization, and information structure 13
  7. Exploring finiteness and non-finiteness in Pima Bajo (Uto-Aztecan) 43
  8. PART II. Correlation between continuum of finiteness and scale from dependent to independent clause
  9. Finiteness in Haruai 71
  10. Non-finite chain-medial clauses on the continuum of finiteness in Purepecha 83
  11. PART III. Nominalization structures and their relation to the scale of finiteness
  12. The evolution of grammatical nominalizations in Cahita languages 107
  13. On the tightrope between infinitives and action nouns 141
  14. Referential markers in Oceanic nominalized constructions 171
  15. The role of nominalization in theticity 205
  16. On non-finiteness and canonical imperatives 243
  17. PART IV. Diachronic process: re-finitization and finitization
  18. Nominalization and re-finitization 271
  19. Shifting finiteness in nominalization 297
  20. The Manner converb in Beja (Cushitic) and its refinitization 323
  21. On finitization 345
  22. Language Index 371
  23. Name Index 373
  24. Subject Index 377
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