Greek -ízo Derivatives: A Conceptual Analysis

Abstract

This paper deals with the semantic structures of the Event -ízo derivatives in Modern Greek, appearing in the syntactic frames NPi __ NP and NP __ . The present analysis incorporates a version of Ray Jackendoff's conceptual semantics (1983, 1990, 1992). Special attention is paid to the semantic under-determination of word-formation rules. Semantic fields, conceptual functions, formation rules, and mechanisms/rules involved in -ízo derivation are presented. A principled account of various ambiguous structures is also provided. In the last part, the conceptual structures in -ízo derivation are finally laid down and the question of keeping these structures minimal while extending the semantic fields is once more addressed.

Verb Derivation in Modern Greek: Alternation Classes, Conceptual Structures, Semantic Fields

“…As Tzakosta rightly notes, the analysis "does not provide definite answers regarding productivity in verb derivation" (196). In Charitonidis (2007, hereafter also referred to as C07), I conclude that the set of CSs appearing in -ízo derivation show that there is no restricted pattern in this domain, in that the content of the derivation base can assume a variety of semantic roles (see the six LCSs in C05:59 or C07:32). Therefore, justice cannot be given to the claim that morphological productivity is always based on a semantically restricted and homogeneous pattern, connected with a limited range of choices which a native speaker makes when producing new words (cf.…”