Semantics 5:
Lexical and Grammatical Meaning
Lexical Meaning: concrete, specific
e.g. gwo3 “cross, pass”, gan2 “tight”
Grammatical Meaning: abstract, vague
e.g. lek1 gwo3 ngo5 “smarter than me” (comparative)
gwo3 as in heoi3-gwo3 “have been” (experiential aspect)
gan2 as in dang2-gan2 “waiting” (progressive aspect)
Relationship between lexical and grammatical meaning:
(i) historical derivation (comparative gwo derives from the verb gwo “pass”)
(ii) synchronic polysemy (gwo can mean “cross”, “pass” or “surpass”)
Grammaticalization: the process by which lexical morphemes acquire grammatical
meanings/functions
general hypothesis: all grammatical morphemes derive from lexical sources
specific hypotheses: e.g. all/most progressive morphemes derive from locative expressions;
future tense typically derives from motion verbs
Grammaticalization pathways: routes from lexical to grammatical meaning
*
location -> action in progress
Mandarin:
locative
Ta zai Taiwan
s/he at Taiwan
progressive
Ta zai chang ge
s/he at sing song
Malay: sedang “middle”; sedang + verb -> progressive
dia sedang bercakap dengan jirannya.
he middle chat with neighbour-his
“He was (in the middle of) talking to his neighbour.”

motion - > future
We’re going to study French next year.
French: On va étudier l’allemand.
one goes study German
“We’re going to study German.”
Evidence for synchronic relationships between lexical and grammatical meaning

lexical retention: prior lexical meanings constrain grammatical functions
going to [+ intentional]
I’m going to have my hair cut (causative, intentional)
? I’m going to have my car stolen (indirect passive, unintentional)

intermediate cases as “missing links”:
English: We’re going to have lunch now. (movement and/or immediate future)
Mandarin: Ta zai tushuguan du shu (locative and progressive)
“She’s in the library studying.”
Cantonese: Lei5 hang2ding6 leng3 dak1 gwo3 keoi5.
“You can definitely beat (surpass) her for looks.”

Transparency of lexical sources – especially in creoles due to recent development
Tok Pisin: “belong” (lexical) -> possessive (grammatical)
mi no save nem bilong en
I not know name belong her
“I don’t know her name”
Réunionnais (French creole): “finish” (lexical) -> perfect tense (grammatical)
li fini fatigé
he finish tired
“he has become tired”
Haitian creole: “pass” (lexical) -> “exceed” (grammatical: comparative)
bel pase tout
beautiful pass all
“the most beautiful”