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Is there a bound comparative degree marker on the property word in a comparative construction?

Summary

This feature focuses on the presence of a bound marker of comparative degree on the property word in a comparative construction (e.g. -er in English tall-er). We specifically focus on comparative constructions where the standard of comparison is overtly expressed (e.g. Maria is taller than John.) but also count clearly comparative forms where the standard of comparison is null/implied/inferred from context (e.g. Maria is taller.) This feature requires the degree marker to be phonologically bound to the property word.

Procedure

1. If there is a degree marker that is bound to the property word in a comparative construction, code 1.
2. If there is a degree marker in comparative constructions, but it is not bound to the property word, code 0.
3. If there is no degree marker in comparative constructions, code 0.

Examples

Achumawi (ISO 639-3: acv, Glottolog: achu1247)

Achumawi forms a comparative by suffixing -wáqtsè or -máqtsè to a property word.

wà'wá-máqtsè  qà   town  Alturas-ú-wádé  
big-CMPR      the  town  Alturas-of-at  
‘This is a bigger town than Alturas.’ (de Angulo & Freeland 1930: 86)

Because this degree marker is bound to the property word in an Achumawi comparative construction, the language is coded 1.

Further reading

Stassen, Leon. 1984. The comparative compared. Journal of Semantics 3. 143–182.

Stassen, Leon. 1985. Comparison and Universal Grammar. Oxford: Blackwell.

Ultan, Russell. 1972. Some features of basic comparative constructions. Working Papers on Language Universals 9. 117–162.

References

de Angulo, Jaime & Freeland, Lucy S. 1930. The Achumawi language. International Journal of American Linguistics 6. 77–120.

Related Features

• GB265 Is there a comparative construction that includes a form that elsewhere means ‘surpass, exceed’?
• GB266 Is there a comparative construction that employs a marker of the standard which elsewhere has a locational meaning?
• GB270 Can comparatives be expressed using two conjoined clauses?
• GB273 Is there a comparative construction with a standard marker that elsewhere has neither a locational meaning nor a ‘surpass/exceed’ meaning?
• GB276 Is there a non-bound comparative degree marker modifying the property word in a comparative construction?

Patron

Hannah J. Haynie