Opisni i odnosni pridjevi
Descriptive and Relative Adjectives

Summary/Abstract: The starting point of this research are the pragmalinguistic deficiencies found in grammatical and lexicographic descriptions of functional differences between descriptive and relative adjectives in the examples where simple neutralization occurs. Starting from descriptive adjectives the author offers an auxiliary means (adverbs that modify meaning) for differentiating between descriptive and relative adjectives. The author determines the reasons for the ungrammaticality of sentences with the modifying adverb and relative adjective in its relative meaning, especially in complex terms (consisting of more than one words, e.g. *vrlo statički elektricitet). The author stresses that the relative adjective within one field appears only in its non-metaphoric meaning. Special attention is paid to relative adjectives (in the narrower sense) and material adjectives in their metaphoric sense which can then be a part of a term and function as descriptive adjectives (mačje oči, slamnati udovac). For this reason it is necessary to allow the possibility of gradation in their grammatical description (najdemokratskiji postupak) and modification of meaning with adverbs (vrlo demokratski postupak). The author stresses the phenomenon, which has as yet not been observed to the right extent, of expressing relativity by descriptive adjectives as parts of a complex term (bijela kava, teško topništvo) and she enumerates the means of retrieving the balance in the adjectival system as regards the reference to the specific object (referent). The author stresses the possibility of the shift of meaning within the possessive adjective (hoćeš vražju/božju mater!=Nećeš). The author also raises the question about the place of lexicographic treatment and the choice of criteria for the analysis of relative and material adjectives in their metaphoric (qualitative) meaning. The author compares the grammatical and lexicographic treatment of disputable adjectival categories in Croatian grammars and dictionaries with the treatment of these adjectival categories in other Slavic and non-Slavic languages.

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