A Natural History of Infixation (Oxford Studies in Theoretical Linguistics)

This book presents the first cross-linguistic study of the phenomenon of infixation, typically associated in English with words like "im-bloody-possible", and found in all the world's major linguistic families. Infixation is a central puzzle in prosodic morphology: Professor Yu explores its prosodic, phonological, and morphological characteristics, considers its diverse functions, and formulates a general theory to explain the rules and constraints by which it is governed. He examines 154 infixation patterns from over a hundred languages, including examples from Asia, Europe, Africa, New Guinea, and South America. He compares the formal properties of different kinds of infix, explores the range of diachronic pathways that lead to them, and considers the processes by which they are acquired in first language learning. A central argument of the book concerns the idea that the typological tendencies of language may be traced back to its origins and to the mechanisms of language transmission. The book thus combines the history of infixation with an exploration of the role diachronic and functional factors play in synchronic argumentation: it is an exemplary instance of the holistic approach to linguistic explanation.Alan Yu's pioneering study will interest phonologists and morphologists of all theoretical persuasions, as well as typologists and historical linguists. 9780199279388 Contents 6 Preface 10 General Preface 12 1 Introduction 14 2 What is infixation? 22 2.1 Defining infixation descriptively 22 2.2 Infixes as formal objects 27 2.3 Infixation as a phonological process 30 2.4 Infixation as morpho-phonological mismatch 34 2.5 Phonological Readjustment and Phonological Subcategorization compared 38 2.5.1 On the ethological view of infixation 39 2.5.2 On the issue of empirical coverage: Problems of undergeneration 44 2.5.3 On the predictive power of the theory: Problems with overgeneration 50 2.6 Conclusion 58 3 Subcategorization in context 60 3.1 Subcategorization as Generalized Alignment 61 3.2 Phonological Subcategorization in Sign-Based Morphology 66 3.3 Phonological Subcategorization and constraint overgeneration 71 3.4 Understanding the Edge-Bias Effect 75 4 Pivot Theory and the typology 80 4.1 The Pivot Theory 80 4.2 Sampling procedures 86 4.3 First consonant 89 4.4 First vowel 102 4.5 Final syllable 121 4.6 Final vowel 124 4.7 Stress and related metrical units 131 4.8 Other potential pivots 137 4.8.1 Final consonant 137 4.8.2 First syllable 146 4.9 Conclusion 148 5 The secret history of infixes 150 5.1 Background 150 5.2 Toward a diachronic typology of infixation 151 5.2.1 Metathesis 152 5.2.2 Entrapment 161 5.2.3 Reduplication mutation 170 5.2.4 Morphological excrescence and prosodic stem association 185 5.3 Conclusion 190 6 Beyond infixation 194 6.1 Fake vs. true infixation 194 6.2 Infixation in language games and disguises 203 6.2.1 Iterative infixal ludling 205 6.2.2 A general theory of iterative infixing ludling 212 6.3 Endoclisis 219 6.3.1 Udi 221 6.3.2 Pashto 225 6.4 Feature and subcategorization 231 6.4.1 Kashaya Pomo 233 6.4.2 Tiene 235 6.5 Conclusion 242 Appendix 244 References 248 Language Index 268 A 268 B 268 C 268 D 268 E 268 F 268 G 268 H 268 I 269 J 269 K 269 L 269 M 269 N 269 O 269 P 269 Q 269 R 269 S 269 T 270 U 270 W 270 Y 270 Z 270 Subject index 272 A 272 B 272 C 272 D 273 E 273 F 273 G 273 H 273 I 274 J 274 K 274 L 274 M 274 N 275 O 275 P 275 Q 276 R 276 S 276 T 277 U 277 V 277 W 277 X 277 Y 277 Z 277 # Publisher: Oxford University Press,USA # Number Of Pages: 256 # Publication Date: 2007-08-23 This Book Presents The First Cross-linguistic Study Of The Phenomenon Of Infixation, Typically Associated In English With Words Like 'fan-bloody-tastic', And Found In All The World's Major Linguistic Families. Infixation Is A Central Puzzle In Prosodic Morphology: Alan Yu Explores Its Prosodic, Phonological, And Morphological Characteristics, Considers Its Diverse Functions, And Formulates A General Theory To Explain The Rules And Constraints By Which It Is Governed. He Examines 154 Infixation Patterns From Over A Hundred Languages, Including Examples From Asia, Europe, Africa, New Guinea, And South America. He Compares The Formal Properties Of Different Kinds Of Infix, Explores The Range Of Diachronic Pathways That Lead To Them, And Considers The Processes By Which They Are Acquired In First Language Learning. A Central Argument Of The Book Concerns The Idea That The Typological Tendencies Of Language May Be Traced Back To Its Origins And To The Mechanisms Of Language Transmission. The Book Thus Combines The History Of Infixation With An Exploration Of The Role Diachronic And Functional Factors Play In Synchronic Argumentation: It Is An Exemplary Instance Of The Holistic Approach To Linguistic Explanation. Alan Yu's Study Will Interest Phonologists And Morphologists Of All Theoretical Persuasions, As Well As Typologists And Historical Linguists.--book Jacket. 1. Introduction -- 2. What Is Infixation? -- 3. Subcategorization In Context -- 4. Pivot Theory And The Typology -- 5. The Secret History Of Infixes -- 6. Beyond Infixation. Alan C.l. Yu. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [235]-254) And Indexes. This book presents the first cross-linguistic study of the phenomenon of infixation, typically associated in English with words like'im-bloody-possible', and found in all the world's major linguistic families. Infixation is a central puzzle in prosodic morphology: Professor Yu explores its prosodic, phonological, and morphological characteristics, considers its diverse functions, and formulates a general theory to explain the rules and constraints by which it is governed. He examines 154 infixation patterns from over a hundred languages, including examples from Asia, Europe, Africa, New Guinea, and South America. He compares the formal properties of different kinds of infix, explores the range of diachronic pathways that lead to them, and considers the processes by which they are acquired in first language learning. A central argument of the book concerns the idea that the typological tendencies of language may be traced back to its origins and to the mechanisms of language transmission. The book thus combines the history of infixation with an exploration of the role diachronic and functional factors play in synchronic argumentation: it is an exemplary instance of the holistic approach to linguistic explanation. Alan Yu's pioneering study will interest phonologists and morphologists of all theoretical persuasions, as well as typologists and historical linguists. A cross-linguistic study of infixation, this title explores its prosodic, phonological, and morphological characteristics, considers its diverse functions, and formulates a general theory to explain the rules and constraints by which it is governed