LINGUIST List 15.3168

Thu Nov 11 2004

Qs: Spanish Frequency List; Guaraní Specialist

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Directory
        1.    Harriet Bowden, Frequency Dictionary/List for Spanish
        2.    Ljuba Veselinova, Seeking Guaraní Specialist


Message 1: Frequency Dictionary/List for Spanish

 Date: 10-Nov-2004
From: Harriet Bowden <woodhgeorgetown.edu>
Subject: Frequency Dictionary/List for Spanish


We are looking for a frequency dictionary/list for Spanish (preferably
 on-line or searchable database). We would prefer counts that distinguish
 different parts of speech, and that include lemma (root) counts as well as
 surface frequency counts. Ideally the counts would be based on a large
 corpus with a variety of international sources, not just from one region.
 
 Can anybody recommend any such a frequency list? We would be interested in
 suggestions even if they do not fit all these criteria. 
 
 We have seen the collection of some lists on
 http://www.swan.ac.uk/cals/calsres/encyclopedia/Frequency_Spanish.htm
 but have not found quite what we are hoping for. 
 
 Please email your suggestions to Harriet Wood Bowden at woodhgeorgetown.edu
 
 Thanks very much,
 
 Harriet Wood Bowden
 Michael Ullman
 Georgetown University 
 
 Linguistic Field(s): Text/Corpus Linguistics

Message 2: Seeking Guaraní Specialist

 Date: 11-Nov-2004
From: Ljuba Veselinova <ljubaling.su.se>
Subject: Seeking Guaraní Specialist


Guasch (1996: 167) gives a list of frequent negative items/constructions in
Guaraní. I'm appending it below together with his Spanish translations in
order to avoid confusion.

Tove no, no quiero (I don't want)
Ndaikuaái no sé (I don't know)
Ndaipotái no quiero (I don't want)
Ivai es malo, no se puedo
Naiporãi no está bien
Tovénte/ndikatúi/ndaikatúi no se puede
natekotevẽi no es necesario, no precisa
ndahaséi no quiero ir
ndaroviái no lo creo
ndorogueroviái no te creo
ndahasýi no es dificil (es fácil)
ndahepýiri no es caro (es barato)
namombyrýi (ri) no está lejos
ndaikuaapái no lo comprendo, no lo sé del todo

It is unclear from the grammar whether the items listed above substitute
their positive counterparts in negative statements. I would also like to
know whether the items above can co-occur with the standard negation
markers n(da)...-i. I consulted Gregores and Suarez (1967) but couldn't
find any answer to these questions.

Thank you in advance for your help!

All good wishes,
Ljuba

References
Gregores, Emma, and Suárez, Jorge A. 1967. A Description of Colloquial
Guaraní: Janua Linguarum Series Practica 27. The Hague: Mouton.
Guasch, Antonio, S. I. 1996. El Idioma Guaraní. Asunción: Cepag. 

Linguistic Field(s): Morphology; Typology 

Subject Language(s): Chiripá (Language Code: NHD) 
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