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Article published In: Diachronica
Vol. 34:2 (2017) ► pp.127–174

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The development and typology of number suppletion in adjectives

 | Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies
Published online: 20 July 2017
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https://doi.org/10.1075/dia.34.2.01nur
Abstract
This paper looks at the cross-linguistically rare phenomenon of number suppletion in adjectives. I consider how such suppletion arises by looking at six known examples with a special focus on the Brittonic languages (Breton, Cornish and Welsh), which are discussed as an extended case study. Three generalisations are suggested on the basis of the typological study. First, adjectives denoting size (“small” and “big”) are at the centre of this phenomenon. Second, where the etymology of the adjectives is known, the plural member of the suppletive pair for “small” develops from a lexeme denoting something having been divided into or consisting of small parts. These lexemes can also be used with some singular nouns and in such cases they denote the component structure of the referent. Finally, adjectives with number suppletion tend to mark plural number consistently in environments in which plural marking is otherwise optional or rare.
Résumé
Cet article étudie le phénomène typologique rare de la supplétion pour le nombre dans les adjectifs. On démontre comment cette supplétion se produit à partir de six exemples recensés, avec une attention particulière pour les langues brittoniques (breton, cornique et gallois). On propose trois généralisations sur la base de cette étude typologique. (i) Les adjectifs indiquant la taille (« petit » et « grand ») sont au cœur du phénomène. (ii) Lorsque l'étymologie des adjectifs est connue, la forme plurielle de la paire supplétive pour « petit » provient d'un lexème désignant quelque chose ayant été divisé en petites parties ou se composant de petites parties. Ces lexèmes peuvent également être utilisés pour modifier certains noms singuliers, auquel cas ils renvoient à la structure des éléments internes au référent. (iii) Les adjectifs avec supplétion pour le nombre tendent à marquer le pluriel systématiquement dans des contextes où le marquage au pluriel, autrement, est facultatif ou rare.
Zusammenfassung
Dieser Artikel untersucht das typologisch seltene Phänomen der Numerus-Suppletion bei Adjektiven. Anhand von sechs bekannten Beispielen wird, mit besonderem Fokus auf den britannisch-keltischen Sprachen (Bretonisch, Kornisch und Walisisch), die Entstehung dieser Suppletion erklärt. Drei Generalisierungen folgen auf diese typologische Untersuchung: (i) Adjektive, die Größe („klein“ und „groß“) bezeichnen, stehen im Mittelpunkt dieses Phänomens. (ii) Bei durchsichtiger Etymologie von Adjektiven entsteht die Pluralform von „klein“ aus einem Lexem, das etwas in kleine Teile Aufgeteiltes oder aus ihnen Bestehendes bezeichnet. Diese Lexeme können auch mit einigen Singularformen verwendet werden, wobei sie hierbei auf die Komponentenstruktur des Denotats verweisen. (iii) Adjektive mit Numerus-Suppletion weisen auch in grammatikalischen Kontexten, in denen der Plural ansonsten nur optional oder selten verwendet wird, durchgängig Pluralflexion auf.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
    • 1.1The morphosyntax of adjectives in the Brittonic languages
    • 1.2Suppletive paradigms in Breton and Cornish
  • 2.The typology and historical development of number suppletion in adjectives
    • 2.1Languages with number suppletion in adjectives
    • 2.2The development of number suppletion with “small” and “big”
    • 2.3Number suppletion in adjectives and inherent vs. contextual inflection
    • 2.4Pre-conditions for suppletion
  • 3.Welsh bychan, bach and mân “small”
  • 4.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • Abbreviations
  • Bibliography
References (75)
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Cited by (4)

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Kim, Ronald I.
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Nurmio, Silva
2019. Grammatical Number in Welsh: Diachrony and Typology. Transactions of the Philological Society 117:S1 ► pp. 1 ff. DOI logo
Plank, Frans & Nigel Vincent
2019. Suppletion: Questions for History and Theory. Transactions of the Philological Society 117:3 ► pp. 319 ff. DOI logo
[no author supplied]
2022. Reviews. Journal of Celtic Linguistics 23:1 ► pp. 137 ff. DOI logo

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