The functions and the developments of the dual form in Maltese

Abstract

This paper investigates the functions associated with the dual form in Maltese. This is established by the positing of (morpho)syntactic tests which help identify what NUM value is realized by specific dual forms within different noun categories. These tests show that while specific dual forms still realize a DU value, other dual forms have developed as PL or SG exponents. It is specifically by analysing the synchronic behaviour of the body part class of dual form-taking nouns that reconstructions of how the function of the dual form has developed are proposed. Moreover, the dual form’s realization of a specific value is also highly dependant on the paradigmatic context it occurs in. Considering the distinct dual form–function (mis)matches present within distinct paradigmatic contexts challenges binary-based overdifferentiated vs. non-overdifferentiated labels and highlights a correlation between canonicity and markedness. For the first time, Maltese dual data will be compared with data from different Arabic vernaculars.