Derivational zero affixes worldwide

Abstract

While a reasonable case for inflectional zero affixes can be made, derivational zero affixes have been underexplored partly due to the difficulty of proving their existence empirically. Using a semantic definition of derivational affixes, I show that derivational zero affixes occupy a niche in the affix inventory of languages spoken worldwide. In a sample of 120 representative languages, derivational zero affixes are attested in only six languages (5%). All of these zero affixes modify categorial or subcategorial information of their host. The identification of zero affixes is complicated by a proliferation of pseudo-zeroes which I also account for in this paper such as (sub)categorial conversion rules, ‘disfixes’, and ‘defective zero affixes’ that stand in complementary or identical distribution with overt affixes.