The purpose of this paper is to provide some evidence for the existence of prototype categories in grammar, and to demonstrate that prototypicality does apply to this level of language. To complete this task, three grammatical categories, namely words, affixes, and clitics will be closely examined and analysed. First, it will be attempted to define these categories as well as to suggest the criteria for category membership. Then, these categories will be compared and contrasted, and it is not until this comparison that their prototypical nature can reveal itself and becomes evident.
It is hard to find a discipline which would not be concerned with the notions of category and categorisation in some ways. These issues are of particular interest for psychology, philosophy, and linguistics. These sciences treat these subjects differently, but for all of them they have long been a major focus of a number of their investigations.
The notion of category is closely connected with the name of the Greek philosopher Aristotle. His conceptualisation of category, being defined in terms of necessary and sufficient criteria, which has clear-cut boundaries and members with an equal membership status, has been valid and relevant for the most part of the 20th century.
The emergence of cognitive science in 1970 made it necessary to reassess the Aristotelian definition of category. Plenty of research held at that time showed that not all categories conformed to the classical theory of categorisation, but that there are also those with a prototype structure. The boundaries of these categories are not clear but fuzzy, and their members do not all have an equal status.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Words and Affixes
- 2.1. Definition of Word and Criteria for Wordhood
- 2.2. Variety of Affixes
- 2.3. Properties of Affixes
- 3. Clitics
- 3.1. On the Notion of Clitic
- 3.2. Types and Properties of Clitics
- 4. Comparison of Categories
- 4.1. Affixes and Clitics
- 4.2. Words and Clitics
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The paper aims to demonstrate the existence of prototype categories in grammar, challenging the view that grammatical categories are solely classical in nature. It analyzes three grammatical categories – words, affixes, and clitics – to support this claim.
- Definition and criteria for wordhood, affixation, and cliticization.
- Comparison and contrast of words, affixes, and clitics, highlighting their shared and distinct properties.
- Examination of the prototypical nature of grammatical categories.
- Challenge to the traditional view of grammatical categories as strictly classical.
- Exploration of the implications of prototype theory for linguistic categorization.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context of the paper by discussing the importance of categorization across various disciplines, particularly in psychology, philosophy, and linguistics. It highlights the shift from the traditional Aristotelian view of categories with clear-cut boundaries to the more modern understanding of prototype categories with fuzzy boundaries and varying membership status. The chapter sets the stage for the paper's main argument: that grammatical categories can also exhibit prototype effects, a notion that remains controversial among some linguists. The introduction lays out the methodology of examining words, affixes, and clitics to demonstrate the existence of prototype categories within grammar.
2. Words and Affixes: This chapter delves into the definitions and criteria for identifying words and affixes. It begins by examining Bloomfield's influential definition of a word as a "minimum free form," and then explores various criteria for wordhood, such as isolatability, movement, meaning, uninterruptability, and orthographic features. The chapter then moves on to classify affixes based on their function (derivational vs. inflectional) and position relative to the stem (prefixes, suffixes, interfixes, infixes, circumfixes). The properties of affixes are described, highlighting their dependence on a stem, lack of independent stress, phonological integration, and selective attachment. The chapter concludes by suggesting that, based on the Aristotelian definition, words and affixes appear to be classical categories with well-defined boundaries.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Linguistic categorization, prototype theory, words, affixes, clitics, grammatical categories, classical categories, bound morphemes, free morphemes, wordhood criteria, affixation, cliticization, prototype effects, fuzzy categories.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this language preview?
This preview provides a comprehensive overview of a paper analyzing grammatical categories (words, affixes, and clitics) through the lens of prototype theory. It challenges the traditional view of grammatical categories as strictly classical and argues for their prototypical nature.
What are the key themes explored in the preview?
The key themes include: the definition and criteria for wordhood, affixation, and cliticization; a comparison and contrast of words, affixes, and clitics; an examination of the prototypical nature of grammatical categories; a challenge to the classical view of grammatical categories; and an exploration of the implications of prototype theory for linguistic categorization.
What are the different categories examined in the paper?
The paper focuses on three main grammatical categories: words, affixes, and clitics. Each category is defined and its properties are analyzed in detail.
How does the paper define words and affixes?
The paper examines various definitions of words, including Bloomfield's "minimum free form," and explores criteria such as isolatability, movement, meaning, uninterruptability, and orthographic features. Affixes are classified based on their function (derivational vs. inflectional) and position relative to the stem (prefixes, suffixes, interfixes, infixes, circumfixes). Their properties, including dependence on a stem, lack of independent stress, phonological integration, and selective attachment, are also discussed.
What is the paper's stance on the nature of grammatical categories?
The paper argues against the strictly classical view of grammatical categories, proposing instead that these categories exhibit prototype effects, meaning they have fuzzy boundaries and varying degrees of membership. It uses the analysis of words, affixes, and clitics to support this claim.
What is the purpose of comparing words, affixes, and clitics?
The comparison highlights the shared and distinct properties of words, affixes, and clitics, contributing to the overall argument for the prototypical nature of grammatical categories. It demonstrates how these categories, while distinct, also share characteristics and exhibit varying degrees of prototypicality.
What is the methodology used in this paper?
The paper employs a comparative analysis of words, affixes, and clitics to demonstrate the existence of prototype categories in grammar. It examines the defining features of each category and compares them to illustrate the fuzzy boundaries and varying membership status characteristic of prototype categories.
What are the implications of prototype theory for linguistic categorization?
The paper explores how the adoption of prototype theory impacts our understanding of linguistic categorization, suggesting a shift away from the traditional Aristotelian view of clear-cut categories towards a more nuanced understanding of categories with fuzzy boundaries and varying degrees of membership.
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include: Linguistic categorization, prototype theory, words, affixes, clitics, grammatical categories, classical categories, bound morphemes, free morphemes, wordhood criteria, affixation, cliticization, prototype effects, fuzzy categories.
What is included in this language preview?
This preview includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords to provide a comprehensive overview of the paper's content and argument.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2015, Words, Affixes, and Clitics as Prototype Categories, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/343491
