Abstract
Changes by elision—as well as those due to processes of adfunctionalization or refunctionalization—must be taken into account as explanatory mechanisms of linguistic change. In this paper, we study the role of elision in the theoretical overview of explanatory theories of language change by focusing on the evolutionary process of the Spanish adverb aparte. We analyze the consequences of the elision of an initial construction for the development of new functions as an exceptive or additive adverb, and as an additive connector with a specific meaning, conditioned by the evolution of the entire construction. We find that, in this case, the ellipsis of a verbal element has led to important modifications of the preserved item (aparte), not only at the semantic-pragmatic and functional levels but also in its category membership.
Highlights
Changes by elision—as well as those due to processes of adfunctionalization or refunctionalization—must be taken into account as explanatory mechanisms of linguistic change
‘adlative’ additive connector, have their origin in the integration of the adverb in certain absolute constructions which were widespread in the 16th century, and which underwent the elision of the verb dejar ‘to leave’
It is important to underline the fact that context as a locus of change comes to have changes by elision: Forms do not change in isolationbut they acquire new functions depending on their context and are—as we will see in this case—integrated into a given construction
Summary
The objective of this paper is to analyze the role played by elision in processes of grammatical evolution on the basis of the data provided by the changes undergone by of the particle aparte in the course of its history. The cases analyzed in texts from the 15th century onwards indicate that the functions that aparte acquired from the 16th century, first as an exceptive particle, and later on as an ‘adlative’ additive connector, have their origin in the integration of the adverb in certain absolute constructions which were widespread in the 16th century (dejando aparte, dejado aparte . . . ), and which underwent the elision of the verb dejar ‘to leave’. We believe that the evolutionary process of the particle aparte will allow us to analyze where to set elision within the theoretical overview of explanatory theories of language change. It is important to underline the fact that context as a locus of change comes to have changes by elision: Forms do not change in isolationbut they acquire new functions depending on their context and are—as we will see in this case—integrated into a given construction. It is, necessary to emphasize the importance of constructionalization (Traugott and Trousdale 2013). Smith (2011, p. 305): “The process in which a form assumes a new function alongside or in addition to its original function.”
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