Abstract
The present paper is concerned with the grammaticalization of the Turkish aspectual verb başlamak. The paper analyses the level of autonomy of başlamak with Ch. Lehmann’s parameters of grammaticalization. These parameters are based on three criteria, i.e. weight, cohesion and variability, which act on syntagmatic and paradigmatic axes. The weight of a sign viewed paradigmatically is its integrity or semantic and phonological complexity. Viewed syntagmatically, it is its structural scope, i.e. the extent of constructions it helps to form. For başlamak no signs of phonological attrition (gradual loss of phonological substance) were found. Semantically it has inceptive meaning and acts both as main and functional verb with no change of meaning. Başlamak forms constructions with verbal nouns ending in –maya/-meye , which generally belong to dynamic situation types. The cohesion of a sign on paradigmatic level is depicted by its paradigmaticity, i.e. the degree to which a sign enters a paradigm. On syntagmatic level the cohesion of a sign is associated with the degree to which it depends on or attaches to other signs. Başlamak is the main means of expressing initial phase in the Turkish language. Verbal constructions with it are built according to the schema where başlamak follows a verbal noun, ending in –maya /-meye , are easily divided into logical parts and are not phraseologically related. Paradigmatic variability is the freedom with which the language user chooses a sign which is concerned with the restrictions on its usage. Başlamak is used with no limitations in the structures and forms peculiar to the Turkish language. Syntagmatic variability, in the case of a grammaticalized sign, concerns mainly its positional mutability with respect to those constituents with which it enters into construction. Başlamak is located in the postposition to its complement and syntactically serves link verbs functions majorly acting as a part of complex predicate. The analysis shows that development of başlamak doesn’t show many signs of desemanticization, obligatorification, coalescence and other processes characteristic to grammaticalization. Being semantically neutral and syntagmatically and paradigmatically variable it occupied its slot in expressing initial phase of action in the Turkish language.
Highlights
The present paper takes up the issue of grammaticalization of başlamak and verbal constructions with it
Lehmann‟s parameters of grammaticalization are a set of criteria which help to determine the level of autonomy a linguistic item (Lehmann 2002, pp. 108-160)
Having studied structural and semantic characterictics of başlamak and verbal constructions with it, we present the acquired results respectively within each of Ch
Summary
The present paper takes up the issue of grammaticalization of başlamak and verbal constructions with it. 357,000 words total): “Other colors” (Pamuk 1999), “Snow” (Pamuk 2002), “The Museum of Innocence” (Pamuk 2008). These two different types of source materials were used in order to increase the credibility of the research by adding the possibility to compare the results. Grammaticalization of başlamak was investigated through synchronic perspective within Ch. Lehmann‟s parameters (Lehmann 2002), a set of criteria that used to determine the level of autonomy of a linguistic sign.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: IJASOS- International E-journal of Advances in Social Sciences
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
