The preconditions for suppletion

Kersti Börjars, Nigel Vincent

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Suppletion is a phenomenon which is unique to morphology. It represents extreme non-iconicity in the relation between form and function. Here we deal with what we call PROPER SUPPLETION, i.e. where one paradigm has resulted from the interaction of two previous paradigms. Our aim is to establish what the conditions are that give rise to this (partial) merger of paradigms. We provide a detailed account of the development of an adjective in the Mainland Scandinavian languages which unexpectedly shows suppletion with respect to number (and in some cases definiteness). We conclude that development of suppletion is driven by semantic properties, and that frequency is in fact a derived property. Furthermore we argue that there must be an asymmetry between the participants, with one element being DOMINANT.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMorphology and its interfaces
EditorsGeorge Tsoulas, Alex Galani, Glyn Hicks
Place of PublicationAmsterdam
PublisherJohn Benjamins Publishing Company
Pages239-267
ISBN (Print)978-9027255617
Publication statusPublished - 2011

Publication series

NameLinguistik aktuell/Linguistics today
PublisherJohn Benjamins
Volume178

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