Expressivity as the trigger of Expressivity as the trigger of language changelanguage change

------A study on Chinese degree intensifierA study on Chinese degree intensifier

Emmie LiEmmie Li

National Tsing Hua UniversityNational Tsing Hua University

De Lin Institute of TechnologyDe Lin Institute of Technology

Motivations of Morphological ChangesMotivations of Morphological Changes

Language acquisition (Anderson1973, ChomskLanguage acquisition (Anderson1973, Chomsky 1981, Lightfoot 1989)y 1981, Lightfoot 1989)

Language contact (Sapir 1921, Bynon 1977, HoLanguage contact (Sapir 1921, Bynon 1977, Hock 1991)ck 1991)

Speech Function (Langacker 1977, Haiman 19Speech Function (Langacker 1977, Haiman 1983)83)

Changes Motivated by Speech FunctionChanges Motivated by Speech Function

It occurs when the speakers are searching wIt occurs when the speakers are searching ways to maximize the informativeness of coays to maximize the informativeness of communication.mmunication.

Changes in meaning

The speakers are trying to “integrate new The speakers are trying to “integrate new information with information that is already information with information that is already accessible.” (Blakemore 1990)accessible.” (Blakemore 1990)

Changes in functionSpeakers are always in searching new and Speakers are always in searching new and

innovative ways of intensifying things to innovative ways of intensifying things to enhance expressivity.enhance expressivity.

1. Semantic Extension (Lichtenberk 1991)

2. Bleaching (Hopper & Traugott 1993)

wordoriginal meaning

new meaning

wordoriginal meaning

new meaning

Changes Motivated by Speech FunctionChanges Motivated by Speech Function

Changes in meaning

Changes in function

1. Divergenceadverb

verbword

2. Renewal

lexical item > morphology

(Meillet 1958)Words are renewed with more expressive ways for saying the same thing. 3. Specialization

If many new items are generated and applied around the same time, a potential hierarchy of vividness is formed according to listener’s perception. The topmost ones will be used more frequently than others.

Lexical originated

Changes of Chinese IntensifiersChanges of Chinese Intensifiers

Eg. luan :V., ‘to disturb’ → luan: Adv. (intensifier), very The need of being expressive

1. When the frequent-used words cease to make an impression, a new or renewed one will come into use.

2. A potential hierarchy of vividness is formed when these new items are applied around the same time. The topmost ones will be used more frequently.

3. Frequent use of certain intensifiers may lead to a reduction in vividness. Then, new terms are expected again.

A Holistic View

Renewal Specialization

Changes of Chinese IntensifiersChanges of Chinese Intensifiers

Lexical originated

The need of being expressive

超 chau (V. ‘to cross) (V. ‘to overtake’)

(V. ‘to cross’)

Semantic extension

Divergence (Adj. ‘outstanding)(V. ‘to overtake’)(V. ‘to cross)

Divergence (Adv. ‘very’)(Adj. ‘outstanding)(V. ‘to overtake’)(V. ‘to cross)

A Discrete View

Changes of Chinese IntensifiersChanges of Chinese Intensifiers

Lexical originated

The need of being expressive

夠 gou (V. ‘to gather’) (V. ‘to satisfy’)

(V. ‘to gather’) Bleaching

dying out

Divergence (Adv. ‘extremely)(V. ‘to satisfy’)(V. ‘to gather’) disappeared

A Discrete View

ConclusionConclusion

Motivation of expressivityMotivation of expressivity

Lexical originatedLexical originated

Changes involved in individual development: semantic extension, Changes involved in individual development: semantic extension, divergence, bleaching.divergence, bleaching.

The grammaticalization of the whole system: circulating between prThe grammaticalization of the whole system: circulating between process of renewal and specialization.ocess of renewal and specialization.