Word-level Nominalization in Choctaw

Abstract

Choctaw has a spare derivational morphology. This work discusses the limits of conversion, or zero-derivation, as a nominalization process, and shows that neither conversion nor a characteristic NP stress pattern are word formation rules. The prefix naa is a nominalizer that conforms to the theoretical constraints that both the base and the product of a word formation rule be predictable.

Keywords

• Choctaw language-- Morphology
• Choctaw language-- Noun phrase
• Choctaw language-- Nominals