Towards a new typology of comparative constructions in East Asian languages

IF 1.7 2区文学 0 LANGUAGE & LINGUISTICS

Linguistic Typology Pub Date : 2024-01-22 DOI:10.1515/lingty-2023-0028

Chenlei Zhou

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Abstract

This paper presents a typology that sheds light on the diversity and complexity of comparative constructions across languages. Specifically, this study focuses on topic-prominent comparatives, a newly discovered type of comparative construction commonly found in East Asian languages, providing a comprehensive analysis of their features and subtypes. Drawing from a wide range of East Asian languages, this study delineates three subtypes of topic-prominent comparatives: double-comparatum comparatives (‘Hair she is longer than me’), comparee-standard mismatched comparatives (‘Her hair is longer than me’), and standard-topic comparatives (‘My hair, her hair is longer’). Additionally, this study introduces a pair of new parameters: concrete measurement and abstract measurement of comparative degrees. Concrete measurement involves the use of precise numerical values or quantifiable units to make comparisons, such as three years in I am three years older than you. Conversely, abstract measurement involves the use of non-specific, relative terms to establish comparisons, such as much in I am much older than you. These parameters are positioned differently in some East Asian languages.

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建立东亚语言比较结构的新类型学

本文提出了一种类型学，揭示了不同语言中比较结构的多样性和复杂性。具体来说，本研究聚焦于东亚语言中常见的一种新发现的比较结构类型--主题突出比较式，对其特点和亚型进行了全面分析。本研究从多种东亚语言中汲取素材，划分出话题突出比较级的三种子类型：双比较级（"她的头发比我长"）、比较-标准不匹配比较级（"她的头发比我长"）和标准-话题比较级（"我的头发，她的头发更长"）。此外，本研究还引入了一对新参数：比较度的具体测量和抽象测量。具体测量包括使用精确的数值或可量化的单位进行比较，如 "我比你大三岁 "中的 "三岁"。相反，抽象测量则是使用非特定的、相对的术语来进行比较，如 "我比你大很多 "中的 "很多"。在一些东亚语言中，这些参数的定位是不同的。

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来源期刊

Linguistic Typology Multiple-

CiteScore

3.70

自引率

5.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Linguistic Typology provides a forum for all work of relevance to the study of language typology and cross-linguistic variation. It welcomes work taking a typological perspective on all domains of the structure of spoken and signed languages, including historical change, language processing, and sociolinguistics. Diverse descriptive and theoretical frameworks are welcomed so long as they have a clear bearing on the study of cross-linguistic variation. We welcome cross-disciplinary approaches to the study of linguistic diversity, as well as work dealing with just one or a few languages, as long as it is typologically informed and typologically and theoretically relevant, and contains new empirical evidence.