Degree modification of adjectives in Karitiana
Keywords:
degree modification, adjectives, Indigenous languagesAbstract
This paper focuses on degree modification on the adjectival domain in Karitiana. More specifically, its aim is to analyze the scalar structures of adjectives modified by the adverb pita (‘very’). This investigation is inspired by the general idea that the distribution and meaning of degree modifiers reveals the nature of the scalar structures involved (KENNEDY; MCNALLY, 2005).
Downloads
References
KENNEDY, C. Projecting the adjective: the syntax and semantics of gradability and comparison. NewYork: Garland. 1999.
KENNEDY, C.; MCNALLY, L. Scale Structure, Degree Modification, and the Semantics of Gradable Predicates. Language, v. 81, n. 2, p. 345-381, 2005.
KLEIN, E. A semantics for positive and comparative adjectives. Linguistics and Philosophy, v. 4, p. 1-45, 1980.
RUSSELL, B. On Denoting. Mind, v. 14, p. 479-493, 1905.
STORTO, L. Copular constructions in Karitiana: a case against case movement. In: LIMA. S. (Ed.) University of Massachusetts Occasional Papers 41: Proceedings of SULA 5: Semantics of Under-Represented Languages in the Americas. Amherst: GLSA/ The University of Massachusetts, 2010.
STORTO, L.; VANDER VELDEN, F. F. Karitiana. In: STORTO, L.; VANDER VELDEN, F. F. Povos Indígenas do Brasil. 2005. Disponível em: <http://pib.socioambiental.org/pt/povo/karitiana>. Acesso em: 1 fev. 2009.