Chapter 2. What is nominalization? Towards the theoretical foundations of nominalization
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Masayoshi Shibatani
Abstract
過而不改、是謂過矣
(孔子)
This paper discusses foundational issues in nominalization, focusing on empirical, conceptual, and theoretical problems that have plagued the field for years. Current definitions of nominalization are based on narrow observations on verbal-based nominalizations, while languages across the globe display nominal-based ones, many of which share morphology with the former. Nominalization morphology in many languages also applies to units larger than words, yielding grammatical nominalizations besides lexical nominalizations. The imbalance in the past studies, which have focused on so-called relative clauses at the expense of grammatical nominalizations, has resulted in a lopsided view on the relationship between the two. This, in turn, has led to the mishandling of different manifestations of nominalizations as if they are derivatives of relative clauses, as suggested by the widely used terms such as “headless relative clause” and “internally-headed relative clause”. We demonstrate that these, including the ordinary restrictive relative clause, are not independent grammatical structures but are epiphenomena arising from the uses of grammatical nominalizations. A clear distinction between structures and their use is a theoretical prerequisite in arriving at a satisfactory understanding of the nature of grammatical nominalizations and their role in grammar.
Abstract
過而不改、是謂過矣
(孔子)
This paper discusses foundational issues in nominalization, focusing on empirical, conceptual, and theoretical problems that have plagued the field for years. Current definitions of nominalization are based on narrow observations on verbal-based nominalizations, while languages across the globe display nominal-based ones, many of which share morphology with the former. Nominalization morphology in many languages also applies to units larger than words, yielding grammatical nominalizations besides lexical nominalizations. The imbalance in the past studies, which have focused on so-called relative clauses at the expense of grammatical nominalizations, has resulted in a lopsided view on the relationship between the two. This, in turn, has led to the mishandling of different manifestations of nominalizations as if they are derivatives of relative clauses, as suggested by the widely used terms such as “headless relative clause” and “internally-headed relative clause”. We demonstrate that these, including the ordinary restrictive relative clause, are not independent grammatical structures but are epiphenomena arising from the uses of grammatical nominalizations. A clear distinction between structures and their use is a theoretical prerequisite in arriving at a satisfactory understanding of the nature of grammatical nominalizations and their role in grammar.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Chapter 1. Nominalization in languages of the Americas 1
-
Part I. Nominalization theory, definitions and typology
- Chapter 2. What is nominalization? Towards the theoretical foundations of nominalization 15
- Chapter 3. Nominalization in cross-linguistic diachronic perspective 169
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Part II. Areal studies on nominalization in South America
- Chapter 4. Case markers as subordinators in South American indigenous languages 197
- Chapter 5. Nominalized constructions with argument functions in the languages of the Chaco 249
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Part III. Case studies on nominalization in individual languages
- Chapter 6. Nominalization in Central Alaskan Yup’ik 273
- Chapter 7. The ‘relative’ illusion and the origin of non-subject nominalizers in Cahita (Uto-Aztecan) 301
- Chapter 8. On habitual periphrasis in Cuzco Quechua 341
- Chapter 9. Life of =ti : Use and grammaticalization of a clausal nominalizer in Yurakaré 363
- Chapter 10. The rise of the nominalizations 391
- Chapter 11. Form and functions of nominalization in Wampis 419
- Chapter 12. Nominalization in Harakmbut 455
- Chapter 13. Nominalization in Shawi/Chayahuita 491
- Chapter 14. Clausal nominalization in Kakataibo (Panoan) 515
- Chapter 15. Nominalization and switch-reference in Iskonawa (Panoan, Peru) 537
- Chapter 16. Lexicalized nominalized clauses in Matses (Panoan) 557
- Chapter 17. Nominalization and its pervasiveness in Xavante 591
- Chapter 18. Innovation in nominalization in Tupí-Guaraní languages 625
- Subject index 657
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Chapter 1. Nominalization in languages of the Americas 1
-
Part I. Nominalization theory, definitions and typology
- Chapter 2. What is nominalization? Towards the theoretical foundations of nominalization 15
- Chapter 3. Nominalization in cross-linguistic diachronic perspective 169
-
Part II. Areal studies on nominalization in South America
- Chapter 4. Case markers as subordinators in South American indigenous languages 197
- Chapter 5. Nominalized constructions with argument functions in the languages of the Chaco 249
-
Part III. Case studies on nominalization in individual languages
- Chapter 6. Nominalization in Central Alaskan Yup’ik 273
- Chapter 7. The ‘relative’ illusion and the origin of non-subject nominalizers in Cahita (Uto-Aztecan) 301
- Chapter 8. On habitual periphrasis in Cuzco Quechua 341
- Chapter 9. Life of =ti : Use and grammaticalization of a clausal nominalizer in Yurakaré 363
- Chapter 10. The rise of the nominalizations 391
- Chapter 11. Form and functions of nominalization in Wampis 419
- Chapter 12. Nominalization in Harakmbut 455
- Chapter 13. Nominalization in Shawi/Chayahuita 491
- Chapter 14. Clausal nominalization in Kakataibo (Panoan) 515
- Chapter 15. Nominalization and switch-reference in Iskonawa (Panoan, Peru) 537
- Chapter 16. Lexicalized nominalized clauses in Matses (Panoan) 557
- Chapter 17. Nominalization and its pervasiveness in Xavante 591
- Chapter 18. Innovation in nominalization in Tupí-Guaraní languages 625
- Subject index 657
