The Superstable Marker as an Indicator of Categorial Weakness?

Abstract

In this article we examine and "exapt" Wurzel's concept of superstable markers in an innovative manner.We develop an extended view of superstability through a critical discussion of Wurzel's original definition and the status of marker-superstability versus allomorphy in Natural Morphology: As we understand it, superstability is -above and beyond a step towards uniformity -mainly a symptom for the weakening ofthe category affected (cf.1.,2.and 4.).This view is exemplified in foUf short case studies on superstability in different grammatical categories of foUf Germanie languages: genitive case in Mainland Scandinavian and English (3.1), plural formation in Dutch (3.2), second person singular ending -st in German (3.3), and ablaut generalisation in Luxembourgish (3.4).