Expressivity as the trigger of language change --- A study on Chinese degree intensifier
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Expressivity as the trigger of Expressivity as the trigger of language changelanguage change
------A study on Chinese degree intensifierA study on Chinese degree intensifier
Emmie LiEmmie Li
National Tsing Hua UniversityNational Tsing Hua University
De Lin Institute of TechnologyDe Lin Institute of Technology
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Motivations of Morphological ChangesMotivations of Morphological Changes
Language acquisition (Anderson1973, ChomskLanguage acquisition (Anderson1973, Chomsky 1981, Lightfoot 1989)y 1981, Lightfoot 1989)
Language contact (Sapir 1921, Bynon 1977, HoLanguage contact (Sapir 1921, Bynon 1977, Hock 1991)ck 1991)
Speech Function (Langacker 1977, Haiman 19Speech Function (Langacker 1977, Haiman 1983)83)
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Changes Motivated by Speech FunctionChanges Motivated by Speech Function
It occurs when the speakers are searching wIt occurs when the speakers are searching ways to maximize the informativeness of coays to maximize the informativeness of communication.mmunication.
Changes in meaning
The speakers are trying to “integrate new The speakers are trying to “integrate new information with information that is already information with information that is already accessible.” (Blakemore 1990)accessible.” (Blakemore 1990)
Changes in functionSpeakers are always in searching new and Speakers are always in searching new and
innovative ways of intensifying things to innovative ways of intensifying things to enhance expressivity.enhance expressivity.
1. Semantic Extension (Lichtenberk 1991)
2. Bleaching (Hopper & Traugott 1993)
wordoriginal meaning
new meaning
wordoriginal meaning
new meaning
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Changes Motivated by Speech FunctionChanges Motivated by Speech Function
Changes in meaning
Changes in function
1. Divergenceadverb
verbword
2. Renewal
lexical item > morphology
(Meillet 1958)Words are renewed with more expressive ways for saying the same thing. 3. Specialization
If many new items are generated and applied around the same time, a potential hierarchy of vividness is formed according to listener’s perception. The topmost ones will be used more frequently than others.
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Lexical originated
Changes of Chinese IntensifiersChanges of Chinese Intensifiers
Eg. luan :V., ‘to disturb’ → luan: Adv. (intensifier), very The need of being expressive
1. When the frequent-used words cease to make an impression, a new or renewed one will come into use.
2. A potential hierarchy of vividness is formed when these new items are applied around the same time. The topmost ones will be used more frequently.
3. Frequent use of certain intensifiers may lead to a reduction in vividness. Then, new terms are expected again.
A Holistic View
Renewal Specialization
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Changes of Chinese IntensifiersChanges of Chinese Intensifiers
Lexical originated
The need of being expressive
超 chau (V. ‘to cross) (V. ‘to overtake’)
(V. ‘to cross’)
Semantic extension
Divergence (Adj. ‘outstanding)(V. ‘to overtake’)(V. ‘to cross)
Divergence (Adv. ‘very’)(Adj. ‘outstanding)(V. ‘to overtake’)(V. ‘to cross)
A Discrete View
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Changes of Chinese IntensifiersChanges of Chinese Intensifiers
Lexical originated
The need of being expressive
夠 gou (V. ‘to gather’) (V. ‘to satisfy’)
(V. ‘to gather’) Bleaching
dying out
Divergence (Adv. ‘extremely)(V. ‘to satisfy’)(V. ‘to gather’) disappeared
A Discrete View
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ConclusionConclusion
Motivation of expressivityMotivation of expressivity
Lexical originatedLexical originated
Changes involved in individual development: semantic extension, Changes involved in individual development: semantic extension, divergence, bleaching.divergence, bleaching.
The grammaticalization of the whole system: circulating between prThe grammaticalization of the whole system: circulating between process of renewal and specialization.ocess of renewal and specialization.