Paradigmatic structure and reanalysis: from NPs to DPs in Scandinavian
Lars Heltoft · Acta Linguistica Hafniensia · 2010
The present article deals with paradigmatic structure as part of grammar and as part of grammaticalization theory. Grammatical paradigms are necessary parts of any theory of grammaticalization and of grammar as such. The empirical issue studied is the development of definiteness and determiner phrases in Scandinavian, illustrated by late Middle Danish. The later phase of this development integrates morphology with word order systems and constructional systems, and is therefore well suited to being an illustration of the main claim: that paradigmatic structure is found not only in morphological systems, but also in syntax (constructional syntax and word order). Paradigmatic change will always involve semantic change, and the rise of Scandinavian determiners and determiner phrases during the late Middle Ages can be shown to be semantic change as well, including changes of the meaning of possessive pronouns and of the genitive form. These changes must be seen in connection with the rise of an obligatory, complex determiner paradigm involving morphological change, constructional change and word order change. Most of the data are taken from the manuscript Sjælens Trøst (Consolatio animae) from around 1425.