Ruth Kramer - Böcker

This book presents a new cross-linguistic analysis of gender and its effects on morphosyntax. It addresses questions including the syntactic location of gender features; the role of natural gender; and the relationship between syntactic gender features and the morphological realization of gender. Ruth Kramer argues that gender features are syntactically located on the n head ('little n'), which serves to nominalize category-neutral roots. Those gender features are either interpretable, as in the case of natural gender, or uninterpretable, like the gender of an inanimate noun in Spanish. Adopting Distributed Morphology, the book lays out how the gender features on n map onto the gender features relevant for morphological exponence. The analysis is supported by an in-depth case study of Amharic, which poses challenges for previous gender analyses and provides clear support for gender on n. The proposals generate a typology of two- and three-gender systems, with the various types illustrated using data from a genetically diverse set of languages. Finally, further evidence for gender being on n is provided from case studies of Somali and Romanian, as well as from the relationship between gender and other linguistic phenomena including derived nouns and declension class. Overall, the book provides one of the first large-scale, cross-linguistically-oriented, theoretical approaches to the morphosyntax of gender.

This book presents a new cross-linguistic analysis of gender and its effects on morphosyntax. It addresses questions including the syntactic location of gender features; the role of natural gender; and the relationship between syntactic gender features and the morphological realization of gender. Ruth Kramer argues that gender features are syntactically located on the n head ('little n'), which serves to nominalize category-neutral roots. Those gender features are either interpretable, as in the case of natural gender, or uninterpretable, like the gender of an inanimate noun in Spanish. Adopting Distributed Morphology, the book lays out how the gender features on n map onto the gender features relevant for morphological exponence. The analysis is supported by an in-depth case study of Amharic, which poses challenges for previous gender analyses and provides clear support for gender on n. The proposals generate a typology of two- and three-gender systems, with the various types illustrated using data from a genetically diverse set of languages. Finally, further evidence for gender being on n is provided from case studies of Somali and Romanian, as well as from the relationship between gender and other linguistic phenomena including derived nouns and declension class. Overall, the book provides one of the first large-scale, cross-linguistically-oriented, theoretical approaches to the morphosyntax of gender.

With contributions from a team of renowned scholars, this two-volume Handbook is a comprehensive guide to the Distributed Morphology (DM) framework, providing an overview of all major theoretical issues in morphology. This volume, the first, covers the core components of DM, its historical context, and its foundational principles. It is divided into three parts; Part I introduces the basics of DM and compares it with alternative models, Part II delves into the core components of DM, and Part III addresses key issues for the syntax-morphology interface. Each chapter focuses on different theoretical issues, as well as empirical phenomena across a variety of languages. Filling a crucial gap in the domain of morphology, this volume is an essential resource for anyone who wants to understand the depth and scope of Distributed Morphology research.

With contributions from a team of renowned scholars, this two-volume Handbook is a comprehensive guide to the Distributed Morphology (DM) framework, providing an overview of all major theoretical issues in morphology. This volume, the second, looks at morphology post-syntax within the Distributed Morphology (DM) framework, exploring its phonological and semantic aspects. It is divided into three parts; Parts I and II focus on morphology post-syntax, exploring its phonological and semantic aspects. Part III broadens the discussion to interfaces between morphology and other areas of linguistics and cognitive science, extending DM's reach well beyond core language components. Each chapter focuses on different theoretical issues, as well as empirical phenomena across a variety of languages. Filling a crucial gap in the domain of morphology, this volume is an essential resource for anyone who wants to understand the depth and scope of Distributed Morphology research.

People in many African communities live within a series of concentric circles when it comes to language. In a small group, a speaker uses an often unwritten and endangered mother tongue that is rarely used in school. A national indigenous language - written, widespread, sometimes used in school - surrounds it. An international language like French or English, a vestige of colonialism, carries prestige, is used in higher education, and promises mobility - and yet it will not be well known by its users. The essays in Languages in Africa explore the layers of African multilingualism as they affect language policy and education. Through case studies ranging across the continent, the contributors consider multilingualism in the classroom as well as in domains ranging from music and film to politics and figurative language. The contributors report on the widespread devaluing and even death of indigenous languages. They also investigate how poor teacher training leads to language-related failures in education.At the same time, they demonstrate that education in a mother tongue can work, linguists can use their expertise to provoke changes in language policies, and linguistic creativity thrives in these multilingual communities.