A Grambank typology of omnipredicativity
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The present work utilises Grambank data about 1943 languages to look at two features of omnipredicativity — lack of copula and argument indexing. Methodologically, it successfully replicates the phylogenetic and areal bias controls outlined by Guzmán Naranjo & Becker (2021) so Bayesian statistics can evaluate the presence of an effect. Via this route, I find no effect of a lack of bound subject-indexing on copula use in predicate nominals. However, there are some important takeaways for future omnipredicativity research and the use of big-database typological data. Future inquiries into omnipredicativity would benefit from a multivariate approach to variables such as degrees of boundedness of S-indexes, degrees of overlap of S-indexing systems for nouns and verbs, and degrees of copula use in predicate nominals. However, this is not easily possible when using predominantly binary Grambank data. I also found that copula use in nominal predication seems to be an areal feature.
Source: Nota Bene
DOI: 10.1075/nb.00037.mic
Author: Matthew Micyk
Institution: Meertens Institute
Language: English
Subfield: Language and Linguistics
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4415732084