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

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