Ablaut pattern extension as partial regularization strategy in
German and Luxembourgish
The present contribution considers the nature of
ablaut pattern extension and the determinants contributing to it.
Following Morphological Economy Theory (e.g., Werner, 1987), it argues that analogical
pattern extensions are highly functional, i.e., they constitute
frequency-driven partial regularization strategies within verbal
systems. This assumption is supported by diachronic and empirical
data from two case studies: In German, low-frequency strong verbs
reduced stem allomorphy by adopting the Class II pattern
[o
pret
=o
pp
],
a partial leveling that may precede the weakening of strong forms
(e.g., bellen – ball – gebollen → boll –
gebollen → bellte – gebellt ‘to
bark’). In Luxembourgish, a uniform preterite marker
ou emerged as a consequence of drastic
preterite loss.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Two case studies
- 2.1Paradigm leveling, pattern extension, and
regularizations
- 2.2German
- 2.2.1The analogical basis of
[o
pret
= o
pp
]
- 2.2.2The pattern
[o
pret
= o
pp
]
as a partial regularization strategy
- 2.3Luxembourgish
- 3.Crux of the matter
-
Notes
-
Abbreviations
-
References