Verb Classification in Australian Languages / Edition 1

by William B. McGregor

Overview

This book deals with systems of verb classification in Australian Aboriginal languages, with particular focus on languages of the north-west. It proposes a typology of the systems according to their main formal and semantic characteristics. It also makes some proposals concerning the historical origins and grammaticisation of these systems, and suggestions regarding the grammatical relations involved. In addition, an attempt is made to situate the phenomenon of verb classification within the context of related verbal phenomena such as serial verb constructions, nominal incorporation, and complex predicates.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783110171419
Publisher:	De Gruyter
Publication date:	03/19/2002
Series:	Empirical Approaches to Language Typology [EALT] , #25
Edition description:	Reprint 2013
Pages:	556
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.06(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

William McGregor, Aarhus University, Denmark.

Editorial Reviews

Focusing on Northern Aboriginal Australian languages, the author describes the major formal and semantic characteristics of verb superclassification systems, identifying parameters of similarity and variation. He hypothesizes about the historical origins and subsequent development of these systems and puts forward suggestions regarding the grammatical relations involved in verb superclassification, attempting to situate superclassification within the wider context of grammatical phenomenon. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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