In this squib, we consider the issue of categorization applied to temperature terms, specifi cally targeting the use of nominal elements as intensifi ers in a series of morphosyntactic contexts in Italian. We show that a set of (light) nouns can be used as evaluative classifi ers, and that – at the same time – they can trigger a nominal value for the (adjectival) items they modify. We demonstrate that we have two options to operate a quantifi cation over a predicative adjectival root: degree modifi cation via quantifi cation/gradation or intensifi cation via evaluative “light nouns” or adjectival items providing a category (individuat-ing) shift. We provide a model based on the theoretical insights of Savoia et al. (2017) for the lexical items introduced in the discussion

On Intensifiers and Categorial Shift: The Case of Temperature Terms in Italian / Ludovico Franco. - In: QUADERNI DI LINGUISTICA E STUDI ORIENTALI. - ISSN 2421-7220. - ELETTRONICO. - 8:(2022), pp. 9-22. [10.13128/qulso-2421-7220-13600]

On Intensifiers and Categorial Shift: The Case of Temperature Terms in Italian

Ludovico Franco
2022

Abstract

In this squib, we consider the issue of categorization applied to temperature terms, specifi cally targeting the use of nominal elements as intensifi ers in a series of morphosyntactic contexts in Italian. We show that a set of (light) nouns can be used as evaluative classifi ers, and that – at the same time – they can trigger a nominal value for the (adjectival) items they modify. We demonstrate that we have two options to operate a quantifi cation over a predicative adjectival root: degree modifi cation via quantifi cation/gradation or intensifi cation via evaluative “light nouns” or adjectival items providing a category (individuat-ing) shift. We provide a model based on the theoretical insights of Savoia et al. (2017) for the lexical items introduced in the discussion
2022
8
9
22
Ludovico Franco
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in FLORE sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificatore per citare o creare un link a questa risorsa: https://hdl.handle.net/2158/1286446
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact