Morpheme order inside the verb

A Typological Approach

Datos Bibliográficos

ID4580941
AutoresThomas Berg (0000-0001-5895-5457, Universität Hamburg, autor de correspondencia)
Año2025
Volumen35
Número3
Páginas339-366
Fecha de publicación2025-09-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaMorphology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1871-5621 • E-ISSN: 1871-5656
EditorialSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s11525-025-09442-5
OpenAlexW4411201919
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas1
Referencias citadas30

While much research activity has been devoted to variable morpheme order in individual languages, very little is known about morpheme order variation across languages. In an attempt to partially remedy this state of affairs, this study investigates the ordering patterns in complex words consisting of a verbal nucleus (V), a pronominal affix (PRO) and one of the following grammatical categories (X): past, future, negative, progressive and causative. A large-scale typological analysis reveals that of 30 logically possible ordering options, as many as 28 are attested in the languages of the world. The two predominant orders are consistently PRO-V-X and V-X-PRO. Three ordering biases jointly shape the empirical patterns-Bybee's notion of relevance, the lexicon-before-grammar principle, and a preference of pronominal affixes to occur in initial positions. The fact that the mirror image principle fails argues for asymmetry as a characteristic feature of serial order

Economics · Linguistics · Morpheme · Natural language processing · Order (exchange · Verb · Word order · Computer Science · Lexicography and Language Studies · Mathematics · Natural Language Processing Techniques · Philosophy · Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation