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Expressivity as the trigger of language change --- A study on Chinese degree intensifier

Expressivity as the trigger of language change --- A study on Chinese degree intensifier. Emmie Li National Tsing Hua University De Lin Institute of Technology. Motivations of Morphological Changes. Language acquisition (Anderson1973, Chomsky 1981, Lightfoot 1989)

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Expressivity as the trigger of language change --- A study on Chinese degree intensifier

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  1. Expressivity as the trigger of language change---A study on Chinese degree intensifier Emmie Li National Tsing Hua University De Lin Institute of Technology

  2. Motivations of Morphological Changes • Language acquisition (Anderson1973, Chomsky 1981, Lightfoot 1989) • Language contact (Sapir 1921, Bynon 1977, Hock 1991) • Speech Function (Langacker 1977, Haiman 1983)

  3. original meaning original meaning new meaning new meaning Changes Motivated by Speech Function It occurs when the speakers are searching ways to maximize the informativeness of communication. • Changes in meaning 1. Semantic Extension (Lichtenberk 1991) • Changes in function The speakers are trying to “integrate new information with information that is already accessible.” (Blakemore 1990) Speakers are always in searching new and innovative ways of intensifying things to enhance expressivity. word 2. Bleaching (Hopper & Traugott 1993) word

  4. verb adverb Changes Motivated by Speech Function • Changes in meaning • Changes in function 1. Divergence word lexical item > morphology (Meillet 1958) 2. Renewal 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.

  5. Renewal Specialization Changes of Chinese Intensifiers • Lexical originated • The need of being expressive Eg.luan :V., ‘to disturb’ → luan: Adv. (intensifier), very A Holistic View • 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.

  6. Semantic extension 超 chau (V. ‘to cross) (V. ‘to overtake’) (V. ‘to cross’) Divergence (Adj. ‘outstanding) (V. ‘to overtake’) (V. ‘to cross) (Adv. ‘very’) (Adj. ‘outstanding) (V. ‘to overtake’) (V. ‘to cross) Divergence Changes of Chinese Intensifiers • Lexical originated • The need of being expressive A Discrete View

  7. dying out 夠 gou (V. ‘to gather’) (V. ‘to satisfy’) (V. ‘to gather’) Bleaching Divergence (Adv. ‘extremely) (V. ‘to satisfy’) (V. ‘to gather’) disappeared Changes of Chinese Intensifiers • Lexical originated • The need of being expressive A Discrete View

  8. Conclusion • Motivation of expressivity • Lexical originated • Changes involved in individual development: semantic extension, divergence, bleaching. • The grammaticalization of the whole system: circulating between process of renewal and specialization.

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