Compounds and other nominal modifier constructions in Pama-Nyungan languages
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Jakob Lesage
Abstract
Binominal compounds and binominal phrases are often assumed to be independent categories. In descriptions of lesser-known languages, their distinctions are sometimes taken for granted and their commonalities glossed over. These distinctions and commonalities are not always straightforward, however. In this chapter, I define and compare four types of nominal modifier constructions in Pama-Nyungan languages: binominal compounds, descriptive phrases, generic-specific constructions, and inalienable possession constructions. I argue against using (non-)compositionality and figurativity as a criterion to distinguish between compounds and phrases. I illustrate the different ways in which languages may distinguish these four constructions. Not all categories are easily differentiated in individual languages, based on the available data from grammars. There is morphosyntactic overlap between these constructions in many languages, and some languages appear to make more distinctions than others. Cross-linguistic similarities between these categories hint at potential constructional links between compounds and other syntactic structures.
Abstract
Binominal compounds and binominal phrases are often assumed to be independent categories. In descriptions of lesser-known languages, their distinctions are sometimes taken for granted and their commonalities glossed over. These distinctions and commonalities are not always straightforward, however. In this chapter, I define and compare four types of nominal modifier constructions in Pama-Nyungan languages: binominal compounds, descriptive phrases, generic-specific constructions, and inalienable possession constructions. I argue against using (non-)compositionality and figurativity as a criterion to distinguish between compounds and phrases. I illustrate the different ways in which languages may distinguish these four constructions. Not all categories are easily differentiated in individual languages, based on the available data from grammars. There is morphosyntactic overlap between these constructions in many languages, and some languages appear to make more distinctions than others. Cross-linguistic similarities between these categories hint at potential constructional links between compounds and other syntactic structures.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Exploring complex lexemes cross-linguistically 1
-
Part 1: Form (morphosyntactic strategies)
- Defining and typologizing binominal lexemes 21
- Binominals and construct marking 73
- Compounds and other nominal modifier constructions in Pama-Nyungan languages 103
- New types of binominal lexeme in Anindilyakwa (Australia) 153
- Binominals in Äiwoo: Compounds, possessive constructions, and transitional cases 181
- NN.gen and NArel juxtapositions in Polish: Syntactic schemas employed in building phrasal nouns 213
- The derivational use of classifiers in Western Amazonia 237
- Binominals denoting instruments: A contrastive perspective 277
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Part 2: Meaning (semantic relations)
- Hatcher-Bourque: Towards a reusable classification of semantic relations 303
- Binominal strategies and semantic correlations in Turkic languages 355
- A classification of compounds in Karachay-Balkar 381
- Binominal lexemes in Moksha and Hill Mari 401
-
Part 3: Acquisition
- Binominals and potential competitors in language development: Evidence from Swedish 429
- List of contributors 463
- Index of Subjects 465
- Index of Languages 471
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Exploring complex lexemes cross-linguistically 1
-
Part 1: Form (morphosyntactic strategies)
- Defining and typologizing binominal lexemes 21
- Binominals and construct marking 73
- Compounds and other nominal modifier constructions in Pama-Nyungan languages 103
- New types of binominal lexeme in Anindilyakwa (Australia) 153
- Binominals in Äiwoo: Compounds, possessive constructions, and transitional cases 181
- NN.gen and NArel juxtapositions in Polish: Syntactic schemas employed in building phrasal nouns 213
- The derivational use of classifiers in Western Amazonia 237
- Binominals denoting instruments: A contrastive perspective 277
-
Part 2: Meaning (semantic relations)
- Hatcher-Bourque: Towards a reusable classification of semantic relations 303
- Binominal strategies and semantic correlations in Turkic languages 355
- A classification of compounds in Karachay-Balkar 381
- Binominal lexemes in Moksha and Hill Mari 401
-
Part 3: Acquisition
- Binominals and potential competitors in language development: Evidence from Swedish 429
- List of contributors 463
- Index of Subjects 465
- Index of Languages 471