Focuses on the Arabic verbal system, the prototypical example of templatic morphology, with the aim of deriving some of its distinctly special traits from basic principles. (Author/VWL)

In response to Zwicky's inclusion of "rules of referral" in realizational theory of morphology, this paper proposes a formal theory of rules of referral within the broader framework of Paradigm Function Morphology. It accounts for a range of rule interactions and explains such things as bidirectional referrals. (26 references) (Author/LB)

Reports on a study of the native lexicon of two genetically unrelated languages: Kambera and Dutch. Focuses on the expressive elements. (Author/VWL)

Demonstrates that two Tungusic languages, Evenki and Oroqen, that have long been treated as a single language for classification purposes, are better treated as distinct linguistic varieties. Fundamental questions are raised about the current classification of Tungusic languages and a renewed examination is suggested of the role of dialect…

Discusses grammaticalization of "laik" in Tok Pisin, meaning "want/like/desire" (from English "like") and "klostu," meaning "near" (from English "close to") as markers of proximative. Shows although "klostu" was more generally a feature of Pacific Pidgin English and began to…

Four lexical features of a noun are relevant to agreement: semantic conditions on reference; person, number, and gender features of the referential index; concord features; and declension class. These features are correlated by a chain of binary constraints. Patterns of mixed agreement result from individual violations to the constraints. Three…

This study examines certain tonal phenomena in Krachi, a language with two phonologically contrastive pitch levels. It is argued that the Krachi data are best analyzed as involving an upward shifting of the tonal register (upstep), and that upstep in Krachi provides evidence for the inclusion of a register tier in tonal theory. (65 references) (JL)

Describes the unique behavior of two clitic particles in Chamicuro, a moribund Amazonian language. In Chamicuro "na" and "ka" are basically articles, yet they contrast for tense. (Author/VWL)

Shows that endoclitics do exist in Udi--a language of the North East Caucasian family--which poses a challenge to the lexicalist hypothesis. Argues, on the basis of accepted tests for wordhood, that complex verb stems are single words and not phrases. (Author/VWL)

Endangered languages, or languages on the verge of becoming extinct, are discussed in relation to the larger process of loss of cultural and intellectual diversity. This article summarizes essays presented at the 1991 Linguistic Society of America symposium, "Endangered Languages and Their Preservation." (11 references) (LB)

"Geminate inalterability" is the phenomenon whereby a rule affecting singleton segments fails to alter comparable geminates. A new theory is proposed attributing inalterability to prespecification: geminate (and singleton) inalterability follows solely from the Elsewhere Condition. (approximately 120 references) (Author/LB)

This paper argues that split-intransitive phenomena are better explained in semantic terms. A semantic analysis is carried out in Role and Reference Grammar, which assumes the theory of verb classification proposed in Dowty 1979. (49 references) (JL)

Some Korean-Japanese coronals complicate the internal reconstruction of pre-old Japanese (OJ). Conflicting results of various studies can be resolved if other pre-OJ sound changes supported by Korean etymologies are properly integrated into the internal reconstruction of Japanese verb paradigms. (Author/VWL)

Investigates the semantical aspects of Oceanic language elements that function as directional verbs of motion (e.g., "go,""come,""return"). It is argued that human conceptualization of phenomena (viz. metaphor and metonymy) directly motivate the variety of grammaticalization processes observed with respect to these…

Active/agentive case markings are argued to be the products of successive diachronic developments, each individually motivated. Several factors obscure the motivations, including cross-linguistic differences in detail, shifts of defining features over time, grammaticization, and lexicalization. Explanation of case-systems requires understanding of…