The semantics of the Vilamovicean verbal system (part 1: Empirical study)
The semantics of the Vilamovicean verbal system (part 1: Empirical study)

Summary/Abstract: The present study – divided into two papers – provides an analysis of the semantics of the Vilamovicean verbal system within a cognitive and grammaticalization framework. On the one hand, the author offers a detailed description of the entire semantic potential of all the verbal constructions available in the anguage and, on the other, provides an explanation for the senses conveyed by each one of these forms – more specifically, it is demonstrated that the semantic sphere of every gram can be explained and, hence, unified by making use of typologically common evolutionary scenarios, viz. paths. Consequently, the author shows that the entire Vilamovicean verbal system can be modeled as a recursive process of grammaticalisation “waves” whereby older and newer forms evolve along a set of identical paths. This rticle constitutes the first part of the series. It includes a discussion of methodological issues and an mpirical study in which the semantic potentials of all the Vilamovicean verbal grams are determined.

• Details
• Contents