LINGUIST List 16.942

Mon Mar 28 2005

Qs: Nominal Compounds; English Semantic Change

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Directory

1. Denis Jamet, Nominal Compounds
2. Oxana Doudina, English Semantic Change

Message 1: Nominal Compounds

Date: 28-Mar-2005
From: Denis Jamet <denis.jamet

libertysurf.fr>
Subject: Nominal Compounds

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Dear Linguists,

I am currently working on nominal compounds (N N, N-N or NN), and more
precisely on the first noun, very often referred to as the determiner in
lexicology. Most of the time, the first noun cannot be put in the plural,
as it is used as an adjective would be : a brick factory, and not *a bricks
factory, etc.

Yet, when I read newspapers, I come across such compounds more and more
often: Iraq's AntiquitiES Department, JobS report, JobS growth, PayrollS
reports, etc.

I was wondering if you knew of any articles or books on this subject. I'll
post a summary if necessary.

Thanks a lot in advance.

Best regards,

Denis JAMET

Associate Professor of English Linguistics

Linguistic Field(s): Syntax

Message 2: English Semantic Change

Date: 28-Mar-2005
From: Oxana Doudina <oxanadoudina

yahoo.de>
Subject: English Semantic Change

My name is Oxana Doudina. I am a student in American and British Studies at
the Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany. I am thinking of writing my
Magisterarbeit (master thesis) in linguistics and in particular on
socio-semantics.

I want to investigate semantic change in English through modern times
(amelioration, pejoration etc.) Here is my question: Where can I look for
references for this topic? I looked on the Internet and amazon, they
suggest something, however, not very useful.

I would appreciate your ideas. Thank you very much for your time.

Linguistic Field(s): Historical Linguistics
Semantics

Subject Language(s): English (ENG)

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