A Functional Approach to Invariance, Variation and Markedness: The Two "Hows" in Modern Hebrew; A Case in Point

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Abstract

Modern Hebrew has "doublets" for several interrogative forms, including eix/keitsad 'how'. It is generally accepted that these two terms are synonymous. An analysis of the distribution & use of the two lexical items is presented based on four principles: (1) both words share a common semantic domain roughly phrased as "the manner or way an action, state, or event may be described"; (2) the two are not synonyms, but each possesses a single distinct & invariant meaning; (3) these invariant meanings are in a marked /unmarked relationship to one another, revolving around the notion of "objectiveness"; & (4) this relationship may be stated in the form of discourse instruction. These principles are discussed with relation to examples drawn from natural conversations as well as written text. 3 Tables, 2 Figures, 24 References. B. Annesser Murray
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)143-165
Number of pages23
JournalLa Linguistique
Volume25
Issue number2
StatePublished - 1989

Keywords

  • Discourse
  • Interrogatives
  • Kibbutz
  • Linguistics
  • Soldiers
  • Special education
  • Stylistics
  • Synonyms
  • Theoretical linguistics
  • War

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