Book: Suffixal Rivalry in Adjective Formation
Chapter: De-nominal domains
Blurb:
This chapter examines the role of domains in the semantic description of denominal suffixes. In the course of the investigation, it strives to substantiate two principles of CS. One principle is that the meaning of a lexical item can best be described relative to the domain to which it belongs. Applying this principle to morphology, I argue that the meaning of a suffix can best be defined by comparing it with other suffixes located in the same domain. Another principle is that the syntactic form of a lexical item is determined by the particular construal imposed on its conceptual content. Applying this principle to morphology, I argue that the morphological form of a composite adjective is determined by the particular way the speaker construes its scene. To that end, the chapter is organised as follows. Section 1 explicates the impact of the construal of perspective on the morphological forms of composite adjectives derived by means of suffixes. Sections 2–8 present the domains under which de-nominal suffixes are grouped, namely evaluation, possession, relation, resemblance, motion, trouble and disposition.