Description
Inflectional Defectiveness investigates one of the most intriguing puzzles in linguistic theory: why some words fail to exhibit complete inflectional paradigms. Andrea D. Sims offers a thorough examination of defective verbs, nouns, and other word classes across diverse languages, exploring the structural and functional constraints that limit their inflectional forms.
This Cambridge Studies in Linguistics volume synthesizes current research on morphological gaps, providing both theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence. Sims addresses key questions about how speakers and learners navigate these gaps, the role of phonological and semantic factors in creating defectiveness, and implications for understanding grammar itself.
Essential reading for linguists, researchers, and advanced students interested in morphology, inflection, and language structure. The book contributes significantly to theoretical debates about the organization and productivity of inflectional systems.
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