Copulas: Universals in the Categorization of the Lexicon (Oxford Studies in Typology and Linguistic Theory)

Copulas (in English, the verb to be) are conventionally defined functionally as a means of relating elements of clause structure, especially subject and complement, and considered to be semantically empty or meaningless. Dr Pustet presents an analysis of grammatical descriptions of over 160 languages drawn from the language families of the world. She shows that some languages have a single copula, others several, and some none at all. She links the distribution of copulas to variations in lexical categorization and syntactic structure. She advances a comprehensive theory of copularization which she relates to language classification and to theories of language change, notably grammaticalization. This Cross-linguistic Study Addresses The Existing Bias Against The Study Of The Copula, Taking Issue With Both Accepted Definitions And Descriptions. The Author Presents An Analysis Of Grammatical Descriptions Of Over 160 Languages Drawn From The Language Families Of The World. 1. Copulas In Current Research -- 1.1. The Copula Paradox -- 1.2. Definition Of 'copula' -- 1.3. The Parts-of-speech Issue -- 1.4. A Possible Theoretical Approach To Copularization -- 2. Copulas In Cross-linguistic Perspective -- 2.1. Scope Of The Investigation -- 2.2. Copula Dropping -- 2.3. The Global Sample -- 2.4. A Universal Hierarchy Of Copularization -- 2.5. The Copularization Scale And Contemporary Research On Lexical Categorization -- 3. Copularization And Lexical Semantics -- 3.1. Copularization And Time-stability: A Pilot Study -- 3.2. Copularization And Lexical Semantics: Method Of Investigation -- 3.3. Lexical Minimal Pairs And Semantic Features -- 3.4. Statistics -- 4. The Multi-factor Model Of Copularization -- 4.1. The Limited Predictive Power Of Semantics -- 4.2. Migration Of Copulas In The Lexicon -- 4.3. Combining The Parameters -- 4.4. The Cognitive Basis: Prototypes -- 4.5. A Scalar Model Of The Lexicon -- 4.6. Discourse Frequency -- 5. Synopsis -- 5.1. Copularization And Markedness -- 5.2. Towards A New Approach To The Parts-of-speech Issue -- App. A. Genetic Affiliation Of The Languages Quoted -- App. B. Pilot Study/semantic Classification -- App. C. Pilot Study/statistics -- App. D. Questionnaire -- App. E. The Semantic Structure Of The Lexical Samples -- App. F. Copula Use And Semantic Similarity Space. Regina Pustet. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [248]-258) And Index. "Copulas (in English, the verb to be) are conventionally defined functionally as a means of relating elements of clause structure, especially subject and complement, and considered to be semantically empty or meaningless. They have received relatively little attention from linguists. Dr. Pustet in this extensive cross-linguistic study goes some way towards correcting this neglect. In doing so she takes issue with both accepted definition and description. She presents an analysis of grammatical descriptions of over 160 languages drawn from the language families of the world. She shows that some languages have a single copula, others several, and some none at all. In a series of statistical analyses she seeks to explain why, by linking the distribution of copulas to variations in lexical categorization and syntactic structure. She concludes by advancing a comprehensive theory of copularization which she relates to cognitive principles and to theories of language change, notably grammaticalization."--BOOK JACKET Title Pages 2 Dedication 6 Preface 7 List of Abbreviations 9 List of Figures 12 List of Tables 13 Copulas in Current Research 16 Copulas in Cross-linguistic Perspective 42 Copularization and Lexical Semantics 108 The Multi-factor Model of Copularization 182 Synopsis 214 Appendix A Genetic affiliation of the languages quoted 225 Appendix B Pilot study/semantic classification 231 Appendix C Pilot study/statistics 237 Appendix D Questionnaire 243 Appendix E The semantic structure of the lexical samples 251 Appendix F Copula use and semantic similarity space 266 References 273 Index 289