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Article published In: Diachronica
Vol. 37:2 (2020) ► pp.133–177

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Anti-scope prefix order and zero-marked obliques

Unusual outcomes of a grammaticalization pathway

ORCiD logo with link | University of Melbourne
 | University of Newcastle
Published online: 10 April 2020
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/dia.18048.bak
Abstract
A number of indigenous languages of northern Australia have complex systems of noun class prefixation incorporating the formal realization of case or topicality, as well as class. The markers of case and topicality occur inside the marking of class, in an unexpected position according to considerations of scope. In addition, where case is marked, zero marking is associated with oblique case roles while core roles are associated with substantive marking; again, an unexpected pattern given universals of case expression. We present evidence for the diachronic development of these noun class prefixation systems from an older system of demonstratives prefixed for class via a grammaticalization path: demonstrative > topic article > topic prefix. The class/topic prefixes then developed into class/case-marking prefixes through frequency correlations between topic, case, animacy and humanness. All stages in our reconstructed pathway are attested by extant languages.
Résumé
Un certain nombre de langues autochtones du nord de l’Australie ont des systèmes complexes de la préfixation de la classe nominale incorporant la réalisation formelle du cas ou de la thématisation, ainsi que de la classe. Les marqueurs de cas et de thématisation apparaissent à l’intérieur du marquage de classe, dans une position inattendue compte tenu des considérations de portée. De plus, si le cas est marqué, le marquage zéro est associé à des rôles de cas obliques, tandis que les rôles principaux sont associés à des marques constituées de phonèmes ; il s’agit là encore une configuration inattendue, étant donné les universaux d’expression du cas. Nous offrirons ici des preuves du développement diachronique de ces systèmes de préfixation de classe nominale à partir d’un ancien système de démonstratifs préfixés par classe, via les étapes suivantes de grammaticalisation : démonstratif > article thématique > préfixe thématique. Les préfixes de classe / de thématisation sont ensuite devenus des préfixes de marquage de classe / de cas, par le biais de corrélations de fréquence entre thème, cas, et nature animée et humaine des référents. Toutes les étapes du chemin de grammaticalisation ici proposé sont attestées dans des langues existantes.
Zusammenfassung
Einige indigene Sprachen in Nordaustralien besitzen komplexe Systeme der Nominalklassenpräfigierung, in denen neben Kasus oder Topikalität auch Klasse morphologisch ausgedrückt werden. Die formale Markierung von Kasus und Topikalität findet innerhalb der Klassenmarkierung statt, was aus Skopusgründen unerwartet ist. Wenn Kasus ausgedrückt wird, ist eine Null-Markierung eher mit abhängigen semantischen Rollen verbunden, substantielle Markierung hingegen eher mit semantischen Kernfunktionen; wiederum ist dies im Licht von Universalien der Kasusmarkierung unerwartet. Dieser Aufsatz erklärt die diachrone Entwicklung dieser Nominalklassenpräfigierung aus ehemaligen Demonstrativa mit Klassenpräfixen nach folgendem Grammatikaliserungspfad: Demonstrativum > Topikartikel > Topikpräfix. Diese Klassen-/ Topikpräfixe entwickelten sich dann zu Klassen-/Kasuspräfixen durch Frequenzkorrelationen zwischen Topik, Kasus und den semantischen Merkmalen [+/− belebt] und [+/− Mensch]. Unsere Argumentation stützt sich auf Belege aller Zwischenstufen dieses Pfades in lebenden Sprachen.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Reconstruction of nominal prefixation in Australia
  • 3.Stage 1: Topic Demonstrative
  • 4.Stage 2: Topic Demonstrative > Topic Article
  • 5.Stage 3: Topic Article > Class-Topic prefixation
    • 5.1Ngalakgan
    • 5.2Wubuy
  • 6.Stage 4: Class-Topic > Class-Case
    • 6.1Zero prefixal case
    • 6.2Prefixation and case in Wubuy
    • 6.3Historical development of zero prefixal case
  • 7.Scope and zero oblique case marking as synchronically active factors
  • 8.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
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