Areal Typology and Grammaticalization: Processes of Grammaticalization Based on Nouns and Verbs in East and Mainland South East Asian Languages
Author(s):
Bisang, Walter
Format:
Journal article
Citation:
Studies In Language, Volume 20, Issue 3 (1996). pp. 519-597.
Language:
English
Abstract:
In light of neglect of the areal dimension in grammaticalization studies, a comparative study of grammaticalization processes in Chinese, Hmong, Vietnamese, Cambodian, & Thai establishes a typological area in East & Southeast Asia & investigates attractor positions & pathways of grammaticalization from an areal perspective. The arrangement of five attractor positions in the domain of the noun & four in that of the verb is described in terms of word order paradigms that define an areal difference within East & Southeast Asia, with Chinese representing the north & Thai & Cambodian the south; Hmong & Vietnamese vary independently, sharing properties of both areas. The distribution of attractor positions, where semantic material is readily reanalyzed & grammaticalized, is claimed to follow from principles of relevance & generality & to facilitate rapid grammaticalization. Three pathways of grammaticalization are observed in the domain of the noun & two in that of the verb; only the latter reveal a clear areal distribution. 7 Tables, 147 References. Adapted from the source document