Verbs of Oscillation in a Typological Perspective (on the Example of Hindi and Tomo Kan Languages)

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Keywords: lexical typology; oscillation verbs; semantic field; frame; semantic maps; semantic parameter

To cite this article

Shapiro M. M. Verbs of Oscillation in a Typological Perspective (on the Example of Hindi and Tomo Kan Languages). // Lomonosov Oriental Studies Journal. 2015. N 4, p.17–33

Shapiro M. M.

Abstract

The crucial parameter for the semantic field of oscillation is whether the situation meets the human needs and expectations: Hindi has a verb reserved for the oscillation of special devices such as a swing or a cradle; Tomo-kan, on the contrary, lexicalizes the type of oscillation that indicates some disfunctionality of an artifact. Two more parameters are relevant for both languages: whether the Trajector is firm or soft and whether it is animate.