Semantically Motivated Lexical Patterns: A Study of Dutch and Kambera Expressives

Abstract

Are linguistic signs really as arbitrary as they are assumed to be, and how exceptional are semantically motivated lexical patterns? These old questions are re-addressed with the help of new quantificational data on two genetically unrelated languages, Kambera (Austronesian) and Dutch (Indo-European). The hypothesis is that semantically complex items such as expressives favor a structurally complex form, and vice versa. An examination of seven distinct types of lexical items found statistically robust semantically motivated lexical patterns. Linguistic signs appear to be less arbitrary than is commonly assumed.