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The Impact of Contact Languages on the Grammaticalization of the Modern Hebrew Superlative

The Impact of Contact Languages on the Grammaticalization of the Modern Hebrew Superlative Modern Hebrew grammatical constructions include a tripartite paradigm of degree comparison consisting of the positive adjective, the comparative, and the superlative. Such a paradigm did not exist in classical Hebrew, and the expression of the superlative in both Biblical Hebrew and Rabbinic Hebrew required reference to a comparison class by means of a noun. Based on an examination of textual evidence from the initial phases of the formation of Modern Hebrew, this article traces the emergence of the modern superlative constructions and evaluates the role of contact languages in the process. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Jewish Languages Brill

The Impact of Contact Languages on the Grammaticalization of the Modern Hebrew Superlative

Journal of Jewish Languages , Volume 3 (1-2): 271 – Oct 16, 2015

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References (2)

Publisher
Brill
Copyright
© Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands
ISSN
2213-4387
eISSN
2213-4638
DOI
10.1163/22134638-12340033
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Modern Hebrew grammatical constructions include a tripartite paradigm of degree comparison consisting of the positive adjective, the comparative, and the superlative. Such a paradigm did not exist in classical Hebrew, and the expression of the superlative in both Biblical Hebrew and Rabbinic Hebrew required reference to a comparison class by means of a noun. Based on an examination of textual evidence from the initial phases of the formation of Modern Hebrew, this article traces the emergence of the modern superlative constructions and evaluates the role of contact languages in the process.

Journal

Journal of Jewish LanguagesBrill

Published: Oct 16, 2015

Keywords: superlative; adjective degree comparison; revival of Hebrew; language contact; grammaticalization

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