Gradability across grammatical domains
This paper argues that ordered abstract scales are applicable to analyses of a range of grammatical domains. We argue this
based on data from a number of unrelated languages, primarily Logoori (Bantu, JE 41; Kenya). The Logoori verb
kudoka can be
translated into English as ‘to arrive’/‘to reach,’ ‘to be enough,’ and ‘must,’ depending on its linguistic context. We propose that these
meanings arise from a single semantic denotation that is sensitive to a shared gradable component in the semantics of linguistic expressions
referring to spatial paths, gradable predicates, measures of plural count nouns/mass nouns, and modals. The central theoretical issue
addressed in this paper is the application of ordered, abstract scales in a model of grammar. This data and proposal is an important
contribution to the literature arguing for a gradable model of modality (
Lassiter 2014,
2017b, among others).
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Logoori data
- 2.1Background on Logoori
- 2.2Degree use of kudoka (‘to be enough’)
- 2.3Amount use of kudoka (‘to be enough’)
- 2.4Spatial use of kudoka (‘to arrive’/‘to reach’)
- 2.5Modal use of kudoka (‘must’)
- 3.Background on gradability
- 3.1Gradability and adjectives (PCLs)
- 3.2Gradability and plural count/mass nouns
- 3.3Gradability and spatial paths
- 3.4Gradability and modality
- 4.Analysis
- 4.1Components of our analysis
- 4.2Application of our analysis
- 4.2.1Degree use (‘to be enough’)
- 4.2.2Amount use (‘to be enough’)
- 4.2.3Spatial use (‘to arrive’/‘to reach’)
- 4.2.4Modal use (‘must’)
- 4.3Recap
- 5.An alternate analysis: Shifting to degrees
- 6.Conclusion
- Acknowledgements
- Notes
- Abbreviations
-
References
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