15.15, Diss: Lang Description: Hopple: 'The Structure...'

[LINGUIST List]

LINGUIST List:  Vol-15-15. Mon Jan 12 2004. ISSN: 1068-4875.

Subject: 15.15, Diss: Lang Description: Hopple: 'The Structure...'

Moderators: Anthony Aristar, Wayne State U.<aristar at linguistlist.org>
            Helen Dry, Eastern Michigan U. <hdry at linguistlist.org>

Reviews (reviews at linguistlist.org):
	Sheila Collberg, U. of Arizona
	Terence Langendoen, U. of Arizona

Home Page:  http://linguistlist.org/

The LINGUIST List is funded by Eastern Michigan University, Wayne
State University, and donations from subscribers and publishers.

Editor for this issue: Takako Matsui <tako at linguistlist.org>
 ==========================================================================
To post to LINGUIST, use our convenient web form at
http://linguistlist.org/LL/posttolinguist.html.
=================================Directory=================================

1)
Date:  Tue, 30 Dec 2003 23:42:27 -0500 (EST)
From:  paulette.hopple at sil.org
Subject:  The Structure of Nominalization in Burmese

-------------------------------- Message 1 -------------------------------

Date:  Tue, 30 Dec 2003 23:42:27 -0500 (EST)
From:  paulette.hopple at sil.org
Subject:  The Structure of Nominalization in Burmese

Institution: University of Texas at Arlington
Program: Department of Linguistics
Dissertation Status: Completed
Degree Date: 2003

Author: Paulette Hopple

Dissertation Title: The Structure of Nominalization in Burmese

Dissertation URL: http://www.sil.org/~hopplep/dissertation.htm

Linguistic Field: Language Description, Discourse Analysis

Subject Language: Burmese (code: BMS)

Dissertation Director 1: Jerold A. Edmondson

Dissertation Abstract:

Nominalized sentential elements have long been observed in
Tibeto-Burman languages, but the role and extent of nominalized
patterns have not been explored as a base of formative
structuring. This dissertation examines nominalization patterns in
Burmese from the word to text level and posits a complex information
packaging role of postposition particles in erecting a structure of
predictable and iteratively patterned nominals which function to
reduce information overload and facilitate online parsing. Burmese has
been characterized as a predominantly verbal language (U Pe Maung Tin
1956). A complementary view is presented in which ontological objects
created via a grammatical system of nominalization function to
establish a sturdy skeletal framework for verbal and particle
expression. Together the role of nominal and relational elements
engender a balance realized structurally as ontological nominal
objects whose juxtaposition iteratively creates larger nominals.

The claim is made here that an underlying ontological level of
organization supports grammatical categorization. This organization is
structurally simple and patterned. Only two word categories are
posited -noun and verb. A third basic category of postposition
particle functions abstractly as a type of grammatical verb. The role
of the particle is expanded as an abstract nominalizing element that
constructs and organizes the ontological structure of Burmese
sentences and orders higher level units of discourse. Sentences are
regarded as nominalized units based upon the unique and diverse
functions of onf[Burmese script], sany, as nominalizer. This key
particle unlocks the role of nominalization in Burmese grammatical
structure - as deictic specifier, as personalizer 'affix', as general
nominal complementizer, as relativizer, and as sentence final particle
of realis mood. The prototypical functions of onf [Burmese script],
sany, are realized as a vast 'conspiracy' of nominalization underlying
the organization of Burmese grammatical constructions from simple noun
phrase to paragraph to the discourse as a whole.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
LINGUIST List: Vol-15-15