Chapter published in:
Category Change from a Constructional Perspective
Edited by Kristel Van Goethem, Muriel Norde, Evie Coussé and Gudrun Vanderbauwhede
[Constructional Approaches to Language 20] 2018
► pp. 263–288

Chapter 10
Constructional change on the contentful-procedural gradient

The case of the -idz(o) construction in Griko

This chapter focuses on a rather neglected type of morphological change, that is, the change from derivation to inflection. Contrary to the assumption that derivational patterns usually do not develop any further, this analysis proposes that some derivational constructions may change by acquiring a more functional status, which is characteristic of inflectional categories. Based on the distinction between contentful and procedural constructions, as proposed by Traugott & Trousdale (2013), the emergence of the new constructions can be conceived of as a gradual shift on the contentful-procedural gradient. The argumentation is based on examination of the ‑idz(o) constructions in Griko, a Greek-based dialect spoken in South Italy.
Keywords: inflection, derivation, hybrid constructions, morphological change, constructional change
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.The suffix ‑idz(o): Synchronic variation and diachronic change
    • 2.1Verbalisers in Standard Modern Greek and Griko
    • 2.2The ‑idz(o) verbs
    • 2.3Criteria for grammaticality of ‑idz(o)
    • 2.4Paradigmatic interference and ‑idz(o)
  • 3.Grammaticalisation within morphology: From derivation to inflection
    • 3.1Defining grammaticalisation
    • 3.2From derivational morphemes to inflectional class markers
  • 4.A “hybrid construction” between derivation and inflection
    • 4.1Grammaticalisation as constructionalisation
    • 4.2[X-idz(o)] as a hybrid construction
  • 5.Conclusions
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
  • Primary sources
Published online: 22 March 2018
https://doi.org/10.1075/cal.20.10kou
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