A particularly interesting subject in the area of morphology are the compounds as complex words with a specific semantic and formal structure. The aim of this paper is to support Selkirk´s universal theory for compounds by applying it to a typologically different language from English such as the south Slavic language - Serbian. The need for such an inquiry arises from the fact that Selkirk uses solely examples from English, although she claims that her theory can be applied universally. The research on this subject will comprise few steps, the first of which will be to look at the definitions and criteria for compounds both in Serbian and English in order to establish what word units are considered compounds in both languages. Then, the compound types generated by Selkirk´s general rewriting rule will be investigated as well as the 'systematic gaps' that occur both in English and in Serbian. Furthermore, an application of the principles of headedness, feature percolation and the first order projection condition in Serbian compounds will be carried out. These points should illustrate as already stated that Selkirk´s theory accounts for Serbian compounds as well, despite certain language specific characteristics. For the Serbian compounds the presented analysis will be primarily based on two articles of the Serbian linguist Dusanka Vukicevic as well as on the compound part of Matthias Rammelmeyer´s work on word formation.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Definition and criteria for compounds
3. Compound types
4. Headedness
5. First order projection condition
6. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Core Themes
The primary aim of this paper is to evaluate the universality of Elisabeth Selkirk’s theory of compound formation by applying its principles to the South Slavic language, Serbian, to determine if it accounts for both the core processes and the systematic gaps found in a typologically different language.
- Application of Selkirk's universal theory to Serbian morphology.
- Comparative analysis of compound definitions and criteria in English and Serbian.
- Investigation of constituent combinations and systematic gaps in rewriting rules.
- Examination of headedness, feature percolation, and first-order projection conditions.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Introduction
A particularly interesting subject in the area of morphology are the compounds as complex words with a specific semantic and formal structure. The aim of this paper is to support Selkirk´s universal theory for compounds by applying it to a typologically different language from English such as the south Slavic language - Serbian. The need for such an inquiry arises from the fact that Selkirk uses solely examples from English, although she claims that her theory can be applied universally. The research on this subject will comprise few steps, the first of which will be to look at the definitions and criteria for compounds both in Serbian and English in order to establish what word units are considered compounds in both languages. Then, the compound types generated by Selkirk´s general rewriting rule will be investigated as well as the 'systematic gaps' that occur both in English and in Serbian. Furthermore, an application of the principles of headedness, feature percolation and the first order projection condition in Serbian compounds will be carried out. These points should illustrate as already stated that Selkirk´s theory accounts for Serbian compounds as well, despite certain language specific characteristics. For the Serbian compounds the presented analysis will be primarily based on two articles of the Serbian linguist Dusanka Vukicevic as well as on the compound part of Matthias Rammelmeyer´s work on word formation.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the paper's aim to test the universality of Selkirk's theory of compounds by applying it to the Serbian language.
2. Definition and criteria for compounds: This section defines compounds as complex words and contrasts the English simple concatenation method with the Serbian approach that often includes a binding vowel.
3. Compound types: This part investigates the constituent combinations and word types generated by Selkirk’s rewriting rules in both English and Serbian, highlighting systematic gaps.
4. Headedness: This chapter applies the Right-hand Head Rule to Serbian and discusses cases where heads might be found on the left, alongside the mechanism of feature percolation.
5. First order projection condition: This section explores how thematic relations between compound constituents correspond to phrase structures, focusing on the satisfaction of argument structures.
6. Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes the findings, confirming that Selkirk's theory holds for Serbian while allowing for specific language-based variations.
Keywords
Morphology, Compounds, Selkirk's Theory, Serbian Language, English Language, Headedness, Feature Percolation, First Order Projection Condition, Rewriting Rule, Systematic Gaps, Constituent Combinations, Linguistic Analysis, Argument Structure, Word Formation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines whether Elisabeth Selkirk's universal theory of compound formation, originally developed for English, is applicable to the Serbian language.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The study covers compound definition, constituent combinations, headedness rules, feature percolation, and the first-order projection condition.
What is the primary goal of the author?
The goal is to demonstrate that despite typological differences between English and Serbian, Selkirk's theory remains valid and accounts for both common processes and systematic exceptions.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The research conducts a comparative morphological analysis based on existing linguistic literature, applying specific theoretical principles to data sets in both languages.
What is treated in the main part of the work?
The main part deals with the definition of compounds, the investigation of rewriting rules, the application of the Right-hand Head Rule, and the analysis of thematic argument satisfaction.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
Key terms include morphology, compound types, headedness, feature percolation, and first-order projection.
How does Serbian compound formation differ from English?
Serbian compounds often require an extra binding vowel and show a tendency for first constituents to be truncated, whereas English typically uses simple concatenation.
What role does the 'First Order Projection Condition' play in the study?
It explains how the semantic relationship between compound constituents is determined by the argument structure of the verbs from which those constituents are derived.
- Quote paper
- Aleksandra Pendarovska (Author), 2005, Universality of Selkirk's theory, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/41249
