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Historical Linguistics 2015: Selected papers from the 22nd International Conference on Historical Linguistics, Naples, 27-31 July 2015
Edited by Michela Cennamo and Claudia Fabrizio
[Current Issues in Linguistic Theory 348] 2019
► pp. 479–500

Chapter 23
Meaning change from superlatives to definite descriptions

A semantic approach

This paper analyzes a hitherto unnoticed semantic change process in Chinese, in which superlative operators emerge from lexical (adjectival) materials, and subsequently turn into definiteness markers. Our analysis focuses on the compositional semantics that underlies this meaning change trajectory. Specifically, we argue that frequent association of gradable adjectives with a superlative meaning leads to pragmatic strengthening in which the superlative meaning conventionally enters the literal meaning. Furthermore, we show that a further change in the extension of the nominal part of superlative phrases leads to a maximality reanalysis that is compatible with the semantics of definite NPs. This paper contributes to the burgeoning field of applying truth-conditional semantics to theories of grammaticalization (e.g., Eckardt 2006).

Keywords: grammaticalization, semantic change, gradable adjectives, definite descriptions, apposition
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Uses of da-NumPs
    • 2.1The lexical use
    • 2.2The superlative use
    • 2.3The scale-setting use
    • 2.4The non-ranking uses
  • 3.Theory
  • 4.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • Abbreviations
  • References
Published online: 10 September 2019
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/cilt.348.23che
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