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3 Two types of synthetic comparatives in Old Slavic

  • Roumyana Pancheva
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Generative Perspectives on Degrees
This chapter is in the book Generative Perspectives on Degrees

Abstract

Old Slavic has two types of synthetic comparative adjectives. This paper argues that a single comparative morpheme, -jьš, is involved in the structure of both types of adjectives. This morpheme can attach to certain roots or to adjectives, augmented by a suffix -ě. In each case, -jьš combines with a property-concept-denoting expression. Roots that denote property concepts can directly combine with -jьš; the role of -ě is to turn gradable adjectives into property-denoting expressions.

Abstract

Old Slavic has two types of synthetic comparative adjectives. This paper argues that a single comparative morpheme, -jьš, is involved in the structure of both types of adjectives. This morpheme can attach to certain roots or to adjectives, augmented by a suffix -ě. In each case, -jьš combines with a property-concept-denoting expression. Roots that denote property concepts can directly combine with -jьš; the role of -ě is to turn gradable adjectives into property-denoting expressions.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. Introductory remarks 1
  4. Part I The morphosyntax of degree expressions
  5. 1 The rich internal structure of gradable adjectives 11
  6. 2 Degrees in Ukrainian deadjectival verbs 41
  7. 3 Two types of synthetic comparatives in Old Slavic 65
  8. 4 Reflections on comparatives and superlatives through a modular lens 99
  9. 5 More than a subordinate clause: coordination or subordination in comparatives, clausal or phrasal standards 149
  10. Part II The semantics of degree expressions
  11. 6 Morphosyntax-semantics mapping in the grammar of property concepts: the view from English, Mandarin, and beyond 199
  12. 7 Comparative morphemes are additive particles 237
  13. 8 Points of comparison 279
  14. 9 Reconsidering a parametric approach to cross-linguistic variation in degree constructions 307
  15. 10 A side road to degree interpretations 351
  16. 11 On the role of causation in sufficiency and excess 381
  17. Index 413
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111547688-005

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. Introductory remarks 1
  4. Part I The morphosyntax of degree expressions
  5. 1 The rich internal structure of gradable adjectives 11
  6. 2 Degrees in Ukrainian deadjectival verbs 41
  7. 3 Two types of synthetic comparatives in Old Slavic 65
  8. 4 Reflections on comparatives and superlatives through a modular lens 99
  9. 5 More than a subordinate clause: coordination or subordination in comparatives, clausal or phrasal standards 149
  10. Part II The semantics of degree expressions
  11. 6 Morphosyntax-semantics mapping in the grammar of property concepts: the view from English, Mandarin, and beyond 199
  12. 7 Comparative morphemes are additive particles 237
  13. 8 Points of comparison 279
  14. 9 Reconsidering a parametric approach to cross-linguistic variation in degree constructions 307
  15. 10 A side road to degree interpretations 351
  16. 11 On the role of causation in sufficiency and excess 381
  17. Index 413
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