نشریه پژوهشهای زبانشناسی (Mar 2025)
Relational morphology and analysis of static phenomena in Persian word formation
Abstract
AbstractRelational morphology (RM) is a groundbreaking approach to morphology that is introduced alongside construction morphology. In contrast to traditional views, RM posits that the relationships among lexical nodes in the lexicon extend beyond inheritance. This means that understanding complex morphological processes requires considering various types of relations within the lexicon. In addition to assigning a generative role to schemas, RM also emphasizes their relational significance. To visually represent these relationships, RM utilizes a notation system based on the parallel architecture to map out the intricate network of lexical connections. This article focuses on exploring four intricate phenomena in word formation in the Persian language through the lens of RM. These phenomena encompass cranberry affixes, cranberry bases, non-productive schemas, and sister constructions. By analyzing these cases, we highlight the crucial role of relational connections within the lexical network. Specifically, we examine horizontal and non-generative relations between words, words and schemas, and schemas. This comprehensive analysis sheds light on how understanding these dynamic relationships can enhance our comprehension of complex morphological processes.Keywords: Relational morphology, Construction morphology, Cranberry affixes, Cranberry bases, Sister constructions Introduction Materials and Methods Following the framework of relational morphology (Jackendoff and Audring 2020a and b), the study mulls over the intricacies of Persian word formation and emphasizes the importance of analyzing the horizontal and static relationships within the hierarchical lexicon network. These phenomena encompass words with cranberry affixes, words with cranberry bases, schemas with purely relational functions, and sister schemas. The research data was sourced from the Reverse Dictionary of Zansu (Kashani, 1993). Discussion of results and conclusionsExamining the aforementioned phenomena highlights the significance of horizontal and static relationships within the Persian lexicon. Understanding and considering these relationships are essential in gaining insight into these phenomena. When exploring words with cranberry affixes, it becomes evident that their horizontal connections with other lexical components contribute to their clarity. Despite this, they still maintain a distinct internal structure and transparency. Similarly, words with cranberry bases showcase static relationships with the schemas that govern them. Moreover, we delved into specific schemas of Persian word formation that have relational roles without being generative. The discussion of sister schemas revealed their interdependent nature, emphasizing the absence of a hierarchical relationship between them. These sister schemas provide further evidence of the importance of horizontal relationships in the Persian lexical network. Beyond generative relations, other types of relationships play a crucial role in these phenomena, serving as a driving force for investigation. By considering various relationships within the lexical network, relational morphology offers a framework for a more comprehensive description and analysis of Persian morphological knowledge.
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