The Paradigmatic Structure of Person Marking (Oxford Studies in Typology and Linguistic Theory)

This book explores person markers, the linguistic elements that provide points of reference to speech-act participants. Michael Cysouw develops a new framework for the typology of person marking based on the rejection of the notion of plurality for its analysis. When a mother says "Mummy is going to say goodnight now", Mummy is the person marker in a way that in English is confined to motherese but which is used more commonly in some other languages and may also be characteristic of much earlier forms. Dr Cysouw divides the person markers of 400 languages into paradigms. He considers how the structure of these person paradigms relates to their function. His investigation provides a clear account of how person markers work syntactically, pragmatically, and semantically as well as giving fresh insights into aspects of linguistic change, language-relatedness, and the interfaces between discourse, syntax, and semantics. The combination of a typological and a comparative approach results in the first outline of a cognitive map of the paradigmatic structure of person marking. This Book Explores Person Markers, The Linguistic Elements That Provide Points Of Reference To Speech-act Participants. Michael Cysouw Develops A New Framework For The Typology Of Person Marking Based On The Rejection Of The Notion Of Plurality For Its Analysis. When A Mother Says 'mummy Is Going To Say Goodnight Now', Mummy Is The Person Marker In A Way That In English Is Confined To Motherese But Which Is Used More Commonly In Some Other Languages And May Also Be Characteristic Of Much Earlier Forms. Dr. Cysouw Divides The Person Markers Of 400 Languages Into Paradigms. He Considers How The Structure Of These Person Paradigms Related To Their Function. His Investigation Provides A Clear Account Of How Person Markers Work Syntactically, Pragmatically, And Semantically As Well As Giving Fresh Insights Into Aspects Of Linguistic Change, Language-relatedness, And The Interfaces Between Discourse, Syntax, And Semantics. The Combination Of A Typological And A Comparative Approach Results In The First Outline Of A Cognitive Map Of The Paradigmatic Structure Of Person Marking.--book Jacket. 1. Introduction: Objective, Definitions, Method, And Some History -- Pt. I. Person Marking -- 2. One Among The Crowd: The Marking Of Singular Participants -- 3. Group Marking: Redefining Plurality In The Pronominal Domain -- Pt. Ii. Paradigmatic Structure -- 4. The Diversity Of The Core: A Survey Of Patterns Of Singular And Group Marking -- 5. Compound Pronouns: Other Person Categories Disqualified -- Pt. Iii. Number Incorporated -- 6. Cardinality: Redefining Number In The Pronominal Domain -- 7. The Diversity Of Restricted Groups: A Survey Of Dual Person Marking -- Pt. Iv. Cognate Paradigms -- 8. Connecting Paradigms: Person Paradigms Through Time And Space -- 9. Cognate Paradigms Revisited: Connecting The Dual -- 10. Finale: Summary And Prospects. Michael Cysouw. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [322]-350) And Indexes.
This book explores person markers, the linguistic elements that provide points of reference to speech-act participants. Michael Cysouw develops a new framework for the typology of person marking based on the rejection of the notion of plurality for its analysis.

When a mother says Mummy is going to say goodnight now, Mummy is the person marker in a way that in English is confined to motherese but which is used more commonly in some other languages and may also be characteristic of much earlier forms.

Dr Cysouw divides the person markers of 400 languages into paradigms. He considers how the structure of these person paradigms relates to their function. His investigation provides a clear account of how person markers work syntactically, pragmatically, and semantically as well as giving fresh insights into aspects of linguistic change, language-relatedness, and the interfaces between discourse, syntax, and semantics. The combination of a typological and a comparative approach results in the first outline of a cognitive map of the paradigmatic structure of person marking.

This book investigates paradigms of person - both independent pronouns as well as bound person marking. Based on empirical and theoretical grounds, the author argues that the notion 'number' has to be redefined to deal with the cross-linguistic variation of person marking. Equipped with a new definition, a typology of the paradigmatic structure of person marking is presented, incorporating data from around 400 languages. Nothing appears to be impossible for theparadigmatic structure, although some patterns are clearly more probable than others are. Starting from the more commonly occurring patterns, the diachronic dynamics of paradigmatic structure are investigated by comparing close relatives that differ slightly in the structure of their personparadigms This book investigates paradigms of person - both independent pronouns as well as bound person marking. Based on empirical and theoretical grounds, the author argues that the notion 'number' has to be redefined to deal with the cross-linguistic variation of person marking. Equipped with a new definition, a typology of the paradigmatic structure of person marking is presented, incorporating data from around 400 languages. Nothing appears to be impossible for the paradigmatic structure, although some patterns are clearly more probable than others are. Starting from the more commonly occurring pa This book explores person markers, the linguistic elements that provide points of reference to speech-act participants. Dr Cysouw's investigation provides a clear account of how they work syntactically, pragmatically, and semantically as well as giving fresh insights into aspects of linguistic change, and language-relatedness. - ;This book explores person markers, the linguistic elements that provide points of reference to speech-act participants. Michael Cysouw develops a new framework for the typology of person marking based on the rejection of the notion of plurality for its analysis. When