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Syntactic Change in Akkadian
By Deutscher
0 - Default Title
Description
In this book, Guy Deutscher examines the historical development of subordinate structures in Akkadian. A case study comprises the first two parts of the book, presenting an historical grammar of sentential complementation. Part I traces the emergence of new structures and describes how the finite complements first emerged in Babylonian. It also explains the grammaticalization of the quotative construction. Part II is a functional history which examines the changes in the functional roles ofdifferent structures. It shows how, during the history of the language, finite complements and embedded questions became more widespread, whereas other structures (e.g. infinite complements, parataxis, etc.) receded. Part III seeks to explain the historical developments in a theoretical light, showinghow the development in Akkadian is mirrored in many other languages. It goes on to suggest that the emergence of finite complementation may be seen as 'adaptive' and related to the development of more complex communication patterns.
This book will be of interest to both specialists and general linguists alike. For specialists it offers a contribution towards a badly-needed historical grammar of the Akkadian language. For general linguists this book will be of interest not only for the questions which it raises about the nature of complementation, but also for the window which it provides on to this little-known language.
Product details
Edition:
1
Number of Pages:
222
Release Date:
2001-01-25
Publication Date:
2009-11-13
Publisher:
Oxford University Press (UK)
Languages:
Original:
English
ISBN10:
0198299885
ISBN13:
9780198299882
GPSR Manufacturer Reference:
Weight:
502 g
Height:
161 cm
Width:
240 cm
Thickness:
17 cm
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