The universality and demarcation of lexical categories cross-linguistically
Drawing data from a variety of sources, this thesis compares functional evidence regarding lexical categories from a number of Salish and Wakashan languages, as well as from the Michif language. It then applies Prototype Theory to examine the structure of the lexicons of these languages. They are described in terms of prototype categories that overlap to varying extents, with each category and each area of overlap defined by a central set of prototypical features. A high degree of gradience appears to exist between categories in Salish and Wakashan languages, with no clear boundary between categories or areas of overlap, indicating that lexical categories in these languages, rather than being clearly demarcated, are instead fuzzy categories with very little distinguishing them. Categories in Michif, on the other hand, exhibit far less overlap. This variation is compared to variation in conceptual categories across languages, and challenges the notions of the universality of clearly demarcated lexical categories and the existence of separately stored language module in the human mind. In spite of the variation in lexical category demarcation observed across the languages studied, it is possible to demarcate
Morcom, Lindsay A.
Linguistics ; Indigenous peoples ; lexical categories ; typology ; Prototype theory ; Salish languages ; Wakashan languages ; Michif ; functional linguistics ; cognitive linguistics ; linguistic categories ; categorization ; fuzzy grammar
The universality and demarcation of lexical categories cross-linguistically. Drawing data from a variety of sources, this thesis compares functional evidence regarding lexical categories from a number of Salish and Wakashan languages, as well as from the Michif language. It then applies Prototype Theory to examine the structure of the lexicons of these languages. They are described in terms of prototype categories that overlap to varying extents, with each category and each area of overlap defined by a central set of prototypical features. A high degree of gradience appears to exist between categories in Salish and Wakashan languages, with no clear boundary between categories or areas of overlap, indicating that lexical categories in these languages, rather than being clearly demarcated, are instead fuzzy categories with very little distinguishing them. Categories in Michif, on the other hand, exhibit far less overlap. This variation is compared to variation in conceptual categories across languages, and challenges the notions of the universality of clearly demarcated lexical categories and the existence of separately stored language module in the human mind. In spite of the variation in lexical category demarcation observed across the languages studied, it is possible to demarcate
universality demarcation lexical_category cross_linguistically drawing data variety_source compare functional evidence regard lexical_category number languages well language applies prototype_theory examine structure lexicon language describe_term prototype category overlap vary extent category area overlap define central set prototypical feature high_degree appear exist category languages clear boundary category area overlap indicate lexical_category languages rather clearly demarcate instead fuzzy category little distinguish them categories hand exhibit far_less overlap variation compare variation conceptual category across_language challenge_notion universality clearly demarcate lexical_category existence separately store language module human_mind spite variation lexical_category demarcation observe across_language study possible demarcate