Linguistic grammar homework.
Chapter 4: Nouns
questions
What are countable nouns – what diagnostics (just –s plural or any plural)?
Difference between direct and indirect objects
Case – in full NPs (not pronouns)
Chapter 4: Nouns
Semantic classes of nouns
Classes
Discussion
Morphology of nouns
Inflectional
Noun ‘creation’ (derivation)
Semantic classes of nouns
Abstract nouns
Refer to intangibles: things we cannot see, hear, touch, etc.
Examples:
Originality, virtue
Love hope
Semantic classes of nouns
Concrete nouns
Refer to “tangibles”: things we can see, hear, touch, etc.
Examples:
Sushi, clouds, clicks
Pencil, sky
?? Dreams, goals?
Water
Semantic classes of nouns
Common nouns
Refer to sets or classes of things, not to individual items in those sets
Examples:
President, song, school
Chair, person, idea, clock
Semantic classes of nouns
Proper nouns
Refer to individual members of some set or class
Examples:
Abraham Lincoln (president)
JUICE (by Lizzo) (song)
The UW (school)
Semantic classes of nouns
Count nouns
Refer to things with “edges” or “boundaries”, so we can pick out individuals
Examples:
car cars
tomato tomatoes
lake lakes
goose geese / mouse mice
syllabus syllabi
Semantic classes of nouns
Mass nouns
Refer to things without edges or boundaries, so we cannot pick out individuals
Examples:
Integrity, happiness, sand
*one integrity // some integrity
*a sand // some sand
MEASURE WORDS – cup of coffee, bucket of sand, lots of happiness
Semantic classes of nouns
Classes:
Abstract or Concrete
Common or Proper
Mass or Count
Semantic classes of nouns
Discussion:
Do nouns belong to just one class?
I saw Indira’s photograph.
Concrete
Common
Count
Semantic classes of nouns
Discussion:
Do nouns belong to just one class?
Serenity may be difficult to achieve.
Abstract
Common
Mass
Semantic classes of nouns
Discussion:
Do nouns belong to just one class?
Conclusion: A noun has multiple properties or classifications
Semantic classes of nouns
Discussion:
Do nouns always have the same properties?
Compare:
She is Karen.
She is a Karen
Semantic classes of nouns
Discussion:
Do nouns always have the same properties?
Example:
Coffee
Abstract or concrete?
Common or proper?
Mass or count?
Semantic classes of nouns
Discussion:
Do nouns always have the same properties?
Example:
Coffee
Sue drank too much coffee.
(concrete, mass, common)
There are numerous coffees.
(abstract, count, common)
They ordered two coffees.
(concrete, count, common)
Semantic classes of nouns
Discussion:
Do nouns always have the same properties?
Conclusion: a noun can “change” classes
Semantic classes of nouns
Summary
Three contrasts:
Abstract/concrete
Mass/count
Proper common
Nouns are classified according to each contrast
Nouns can change properties
Morphology of nouns: Inflection
Number:
cat cats
bag bags
child children
foot feet
…can be regular or irregular
Morphology of nouns: inflection
Case
I me
we us
she her
they them
Case inflection only occurs on pronouns in English
Morphology of nouns: inflection
Case:
Case inflection only occurs on pronouns in English
Compare:
I met Kim in class.
Kim met me in class.
Morphology of nouns
Case inflection on noun phrases:
[the Queen of England]’s crown
Morphology of nouns: derivation
Add derivational affixes
Examples:
Mysterious -ness ==> edgey -> edginess / bubbly – bubbliness
Obscure -ity
Affix -at- ion
motive motivate motivation
Morphology of nouns: derivation
Compounding (combining words)
Examples:
air + port
dish + washer
window + dressing
Book + worm = bookworm, couchpotato
Morphology of nouns: derivation
Other methods:
Coining, blending, etc
five hobbits walked up
I went to brunch with my friends
Morphology of nouns
Summary:
Inflectional morphology: number, case
Creation of nouns (derivation): derivational affixes and compounding