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Article published In:
Diachronica
Vol. 33:2 (2016) ► pp.151–186

When something becomes a bit

This paper analyzes the mechanisms of syntactic and semantic change involved in the development of the degree modifier algo “a bit, a little” in Spanish from an indefinite pronoun with inanimate reference meaning “something”. Specifically, it focuses on the distribution of the pronoun in the Medieval and Classical periods of Spanish and its interpretation in partitive and pseudo-partitive constructions. I argue for combination of structural and pragmatic factors in the creation of the degree modifier and relate this change to other diachronic developments of indefinites across languages. I also discuss implications for models of the distribution of degree modifiers crosslinguistically.

Keywords: degree adverbs, syntactic change, indefinite pronouns, semantic change, gradability, Spanish
Published online: 23 August 2016
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https://doi.org/10.1075/dia.33.2.01ama
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