A functional account of grammatical number in English reflexive pronouns

Nancy Stern

doi:10.3765/plsa.v1i0.3724

Abstract

Number morphology appears twice in English reflexive pronouns, first on the pronominal-possessive portion of the form, and second on the inflectional ending. Usually, the two number markings co-vary, but ‘crossed’ number forms like ourself and themself – and even myselves and herselves – are also attested. This paper argues that the two opportunities to signal number can be creatively exploited for communicative purposes, and are not controlled syntactically. The data and analysis presented provide support for a view of grammatical categories (even those commonly regarded as syntactically determined) as independent bearers of meaning.

Highlights

Two approaches to syntax have crystallized over the past decades: one view holds that syntax is a formal computational system that is autonomous of meaning, while the other sees grammar as symbolic and meaningful
The two number markings covary: the singular pronominal portion co-occurs with singular self and the plural pronominal portion co-occurs with plural selves
We have found no reason to posit agreement as an explanatory construct in accounting for grammatical number morphology in English -self pronouns, and we would do so only if the construct were found to be the best solution to the distributional problem

Summary

Introduction

Two approaches to syntax have crystallized over the past decades: one view holds that syntax is a formal computational system that is autonomous of meaning, while the other sees grammar as symbolic and meaningful. I hope to demonstrate that speakers and writers are leveraging the available Number meanings in reflexive pronouns in order to advance their communicative goals. We begin with ourself and themself, the most frequently occurring forms in which two different Number meanings are signaled, and we will turn to other, more surprising examples.

Results

Conclusion