Comparison constructions in Nenets: about a language that has degrees and also uses them
Comparison constructions in Nenets: about a language that has degrees and also uses them

Summary/Abstract: This paper explores comparison constructions in Tundra Nenets. The data presented in the paper has been drawn from original fieldwork and uses what is called the ‘standard degree approach’ (cf. e.g., [von Stechow 1984; Heim 1985, 2001; Beck 2011]) in formal semantic theory. Although language-specific grammars such as [Décsy 1966; Терещенко 1947; Nikolaeva 2014], among others, provide grammatical information on different aspects of comparison constructions, a detailed and complete account is missing in the literature. The present paper sets out to fill this gap. I argue that contemporary Tundra Nenets uses a degree ontology in the semantics and also has abstraction over degrees. I also outline a possible phrasal analysis of comparison constructions based on the fact that Nenets robustly resists clausal standards. Although Nenets does not have overt morphological comparative marking on the adjective, the ablative marking on the standard licenses a covert phrasal operator. Finally, I discuss a diachronic question about a possible development and co-existence of two different strategies of expressing comparisons in Nenets.

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