Towards a Multivariate Classification of Event Noun Constructions in Middle Welsh. (1st January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Scherschel, Ricarda; Widmer, Paul; Poppe, Erich
• Is Part Of: Journal of Celtic linguistics. Volume 19(2018)
• Page Start: 31
• Page End: 68
• Publication Date: 2018-01-01
• Subjects: Celtic languages -- Periodicals; Linguistics -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Celtic languages; Linguistics; Great Britain; Periodicals; 491.6
• DOI: 10.16922/jcl.19.3
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0962-1377

Abstract

This article proposes a classification of Middle Welsh constructions with event nouns, the only productive non-finite verbal category in this language. It is based on a catalogue of criteria which have been suggested in General Linguistics for a description of linked states of affairs, viz. variables that relate to the assertive profile, the semantic dependence, coordination, the syntactic level of attachment, the degree of deverbalization, the degree of nominalization, and negation operator scope. The survey shows that Middle Welsh event nominalizations on their own assume functions covered by different non-finite structures known from related Indo-European languages (e.g., participles, verbal nouns, supines, infinitives, compounds etc.). Furthermore, event nominalizations substantially contribute to the construction of narratives on a higher level of syntactic organization.