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Article published In:
Studies in Language
Vol. 47:3 (2023) ► pp.683–742

Multiple construction types for nominal expressions in Australian languages

Towards a typology

ORCID logo | KU Leuven | Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO) | Université de Liège | F.R.S.-FNRS

This paper explores the rich diversity in structural possibilities that are available for (simple) nominal expressions in Australian languages. First, I identify a number of construction types found across a 50 language sample, which may be recognised by using a restricted set of parameters. I show that an important factor is whether a given parameter (such as word order) is generalised or displayed only by some word classes. Second, I develop a four-way typology based on how the construction types cluster in individual languages. Two types are described to some extent in the literature, but I provide a more detailed characterisation: one mostly has flexible, non-phrasal expressions and the other mostly rigid noun phrases. The other two types have not been described as such. One mostly has flexible phrases, which combine internal flexibility with phrasal case marking, and the other has distinct construction types depending on the type of modifier.

Keywords: noun phrase, nominal expressions, typology, Australian Aboriginal languages
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Sample and data
  • 3.Inventory of construction types across the languages of the sample
    • 3.1Parameters for defining construction types
      • 3.1.1Contiguity / discontinuity
      • 3.1.2Internal word order
      • 3.1.3Locus of case
    • 3.2Category-specific versus generalised constructions
      • 3.2.1Category-specificity in relation to word order
      • 3.2.2Category-specificity in relation to locus of case marking
      • 3.2.3Category-specificity in relation to contiguity/discontinuity
    • 3.3Overview of construction types
  • 4.Focusing on language-internal diversity: Towards a typology of the nominal domain
    • 4.1Type 1
      • i.Main type: Generalised rigid phrases
      • ii.Limited flexibility
      • iii.Typically no additional construction types distinguished by locus of case
      • iv.Typically no or very limited discontinuity
    • 4.2Type 2
      • i.Main type: Generalised flexible groups
      • ii.Pockets of phrasality
      • iii.Discontinuous construction type(s), often with flexible internal order
    • 4.3Type 3
      • i.Main type: Generalised flexible phrases
      • ii.Limited rigidity
      • iii.Minor construction types distinguished only by alternative locus for case
      • iv.Sometimes discontinuous construction type(s), with phrasal case in some languages
    • 4.4Type 4
      • i.Category-specific rigid and flexible construction types
      • ii.In some languages: (Category-specific?) construction types distinguished by locus of case
      • iii.Very limited discontinuity
    • 4.5Distribution of the four types across the sample
  • 5.Discussion and conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • Abbreviations
  • References
Available under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) 4.0 license.

For any use beyond this license, please contact the publisher at [email protected].

Published online: 8 December 2022
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/sl.21008.lou
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