LINGUIST List 15.213

Wed Jan 21 2004

Qs: Norwegian Lexical Frequency; Form/Function

Editor for this issue: Naomi Fox <foxlinguistlist.org>

Directory

1. Jussi Niemi, Lexical frequencies on Norwegian?
2. Ljuba Veselinova, Several forms for one and the same function

Dear Colleagues,

My colleagues and I are extending our on-line processing studies of 
language (usually with lexical decision) from Finnish and Swedish to 
cover Norwegian. Since these type of experiments require strict controls 
on various aspects of frequency, any information leading to data on, 
e.g., lemma and surface frequency in Norwegian (whether bokm�l or nynorsk) 
would be gratefully appreciated.

Jussi Niemi
Linguistics
Professor
Linguistics
University of Joensuu
jussi.niemijoensuu.fi
http://cc.joensuu.fi/linguistics

Dear All,

I would like to check whether the phenomenon illustrated below is
frequent or not:

In Bulgarian there are two alternative forms for the imperative of the
verb _idvam_ 'come': one is regular _idvaj_ and the other is
suppletive _ela_.

Such alternating forms, that is different forms for one and the same
function are observed in Serbo-Croatian as well and I'm aware of a few
other languages, not from the Balkans.

Such information is difficult to obtain from grammars which is why I
am posting this question here. I would like to hear if anyone knows of
similar data from other languages. I am particularly interested in
imperatives but alternating forms for other grammatical categories
pertinent for verbs, or even for other parts of speech will be most
welcome.

Thank you in advance for your help! I will post a summary if there is
interest.

My best wishes,
Ljuba