Layering (linguistics)
Encyclopedia
Layering in linguistics refers to one of the five principles by which you can detect grammaticalisation
while it is taking place. The other four are: divergence
, specialisation
, persistence
, and de-categorialisation
.
Layering refers to the phenomenon that a language can have and develop multiple expressions for the same function, that language, in the “lexical” as well as in the “grammatical” domain, tolerates and permanently creates multiple synonymy. “Within a broad functional domain, new layers are continually emerging. As this happens, the older layers are not necessarily discarded, but may remain to coexist with and interact with the newer layers.” (Hopper
1991: 22)
During the process of grammaticalisation
, new layers are added to older ones whereby the functional domain is broadened, i.e. several items may fulfil the same linguistic function.
Grammaticalisation
In linguistics, grammaticalization is a process by which words representing objects and actions transform through sound change and language migration to become grammatical objects...
while it is taking place. The other four are: divergence
Divergence (linguistics)
Divergence in linguistics refers to one of the five principles by which you can detect grammaticalisation while it is taking place. The other four are: layering, specialisation, persistence, and de-categorialisation....
, specialisation
Specialization (linguistics)
In linguistics, the term specialization , refers to one of the five principles by which grammaticalization can be detected while it is taking place...
, persistence
Persistence (linguistics)
Persistence in linguistics refers to one of the five principles by which you can detect grammaticalisation while it is taking place. The other four are: layering, divergence, specialisation, and de-categorialisation....
, and de-categorialisation
De-categorialization
De-categorialization in linguistics, refers to one of the five principles by which you can detect grammaticalization while it is taking place...
.
Layering refers to the phenomenon that a language can have and develop multiple expressions for the same function, that language, in the “lexical” as well as in the “grammatical” domain, tolerates and permanently creates multiple synonymy. “Within a broad functional domain, new layers are continually emerging. As this happens, the older layers are not necessarily discarded, but may remain to coexist with and interact with the newer layers.” (Hopper
Paul Hopper
Paul J. Hopper is an American linguist of British birth. In 1973, he proposed the glottalic theory regarding the reconstruction of the Proto-Indo-European consonant inventory, in parallel with the Georgian linguist Tamaz Gamkrelidze and the Russian linguist Vyacheslav V. Ivanov...
1991: 22)
During the process of grammaticalisation
Grammaticalisation
In linguistics, grammaticalization is a process by which words representing objects and actions transform through sound change and language migration to become grammatical objects...
, new layers are added to older ones whereby the functional domain is broadened, i.e. several items may fulfil the same linguistic function.
An example from English: ‘I am going to study’ / ‘I will study’ / ‘I shall study’.