Noun Phrases in Australian Languages : A Typological Study / Dana Louagie.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Louagie, Dana, Author.

Series:

Pacific linguistics ; 662.

Pacific Linguistics [PL] ; 662

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Australian languages.

Australia.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xx, 261 pages) : illustrations.

Place of Publication:

Berlin ; Boston : De Gruyter Mouton, [2019]

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

This book presents a first comprehensive typological analysis of noun phrases in Australian languages, covering the domains of classification, qualification, quantification, determination and constituency. The analysis is based on a representative sample of 100 languages. Among other points, the results call into question the classic idea that Australian languages tend to lack phrasal structures in the nominal domain, with over two thirds of the languages showing evidence for phrasehood. Moreover, it is argued that it may be more interesting to typologise languages on the basis of where and how they allow phrasal structure, rather than on the basis of a yes-no answer to the question of constituency. The analysis also shows that a determiner slot can be identified in about half of the languages, even though they generally lack 'classic' determiner features like obligatory use in particular contexts or a restriction to one determiner per NP. Special attention is given to elements, which can be used both inside and beyond determiner slots, demonstrating how part of speech and functional structure do not always align. The book is of interest to researchers documenting Australian languages, as well as to typologists and theorists.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Acknowledgements

Contents

List of Tables

List of Maps

Abbreviations

Overview of the sample

1. Introduction

Introduction

2. Nominal classification

3. Qualification

4. Quantification

5. Determination and NP constituency

6. Noun phrase constituency

7. The status of determining elements

8. Conclusion

Appendix

References

Language Index

Subject Index

Notes:

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 06. Apr 2020)

ISBN:

9781501512872

1501512870

9781501512933

1501512935

OCLC:

1129174941