Startseite Linguistik & Semiotik Chapter 4: Morphology
Kapitel
Lizenziert
Nicht lizenziert Erfordert eine Authentifizierung

Chapter 4: Morphology

  • Jerzy Wełna
Veröffentlichen auch Sie bei De Gruyter Brill
Erkunden Sie dieses Fachgebiet So veröffentlichen Sie bei uns
Volume 3 Middle English
Ein Kapitel aus dem Buch Volume 3 Middle English

Abstract

The central part of the chapter contains a succinct account of ME morphology in the roughly four centuries following the Norman Conquest. Attention is focussed on inflectional morphology, especially on the gradual decay of inflectional paradigms which led to the disintegration of the system of grammatical markers. The most important morphological processes of the period include (1) the loss of the majority of oblique cases, generalization of the plural marker -s, and substitution of semantic for grammatical gender in nouns; (2) the loss of inflections and the initial stage of the spread of periphrastic comparison in adjectives; (3) the spread of the pronouns she, they, them, their; and (4) the loss of inflections, decay of the subjunctive mood, and substantial disintegration of the ablaut system in verbs (i.e. the shift from strong to weak). All these processes are viewed against the background of regional variation, with special reference to the dialects which contributed to the formation of the morphology of Standard English. Due attention is given to the impact of phonological factors on the morphological processes. The final sections contain a brief presentation of ME word-formation types, including influences from French in the post-Conquest period, and a critical review of more important contributions to the field of ME morphology, from the end of the 19th century to our times.

Abstract

The central part of the chapter contains a succinct account of ME morphology in the roughly four centuries following the Norman Conquest. Attention is focussed on inflectional morphology, especially on the gradual decay of inflectional paradigms which led to the disintegration of the system of grammatical markers. The most important morphological processes of the period include (1) the loss of the majority of oblique cases, generalization of the plural marker -s, and substitution of semantic for grammatical gender in nouns; (2) the loss of inflections and the initial stage of the spread of periphrastic comparison in adjectives; (3) the spread of the pronouns she, they, them, their; and (4) the loss of inflections, decay of the subjunctive mood, and substantial disintegration of the ablaut system in verbs (i.e. the shift from strong to weak). All these processes are viewed against the background of regional variation, with special reference to the dialects which contributed to the formation of the morphology of Standard English. Due attention is given to the impact of phonological factors on the morphological processes. The final sections contain a brief presentation of ME word-formation types, including influences from French in the post-Conquest period, and a critical review of more important contributions to the field of ME morphology, from the end of the 19th century to our times.

Kapitel in diesem Buch

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Table of Contents V
  3. Abbreviations VII
  4. Chapter 1: Introduction 1
  5. Chapter 2: Middle English: Overview 8
  6. Chapter 3: Phonology 29
  7. Chapter 4: Morphology 50
  8. Chapter 5: Syntax 76
  9. Chapter 6: Semantics and Lexicon 96
  10. Chapter 7: Pragmatics and Discourse 116
  11. Chapter 8: Dialects 134
  12. Chapter 9: Language Contact: Multilingualism 165
  13. Chapter 10: Language Contact: French 184
  14. Chapter 11: Standardization 205
  15. Chapter 12: Middle English Creolization 224
  16. Chapter 13: Sociolinguistics 239
  17. Chapter 14: Literary Language 261
  18. Chapter 15: The Language of Chaucer 292
  19. Index 307
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110525328-004

Kapitel in diesem Buch

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Table of Contents V
  3. Abbreviations VII
  4. Chapter 1: Introduction 1
  5. Chapter 2: Middle English: Overview 8
  6. Chapter 3: Phonology 29
  7. Chapter 4: Morphology 50
  8. Chapter 5: Syntax 76
  9. Chapter 6: Semantics and Lexicon 96
  10. Chapter 7: Pragmatics and Discourse 116
  11. Chapter 8: Dialects 134
  12. Chapter 9: Language Contact: Multilingualism 165
  13. Chapter 10: Language Contact: French 184
  14. Chapter 11: Standardization 205
  15. Chapter 12: Middle English Creolization 224
  16. Chapter 13: Sociolinguistics 239
  17. Chapter 14: Literary Language 261
  18. Chapter 15: The Language of Chaucer 292
  19. Index 307
Jetzt anmelden und 20% sparen
Institutioneller Zugang
Wie funktioniert Authentifizierung?
Haben Sie eine Idee, wie wir unsere Website verbessern können?
Bitte schreiben Sie uns.
© 2025 De Gruyter Brill
Heruntergeladen am 4.12.2025 von https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110525328-004/html
Button zum nach oben scrollen