Melioration in South Slavic. The case of Slavic *gyzd-
Melioration in South Slavic. The case of Slavic *gyzd-
Author(s): Marc L. GreenbergSubject(s): Theoretical Linguistics, Semantics, Comparative Linguistics, Western Slavic Languages, Eastern Slavic Languages, South Slavic Languages, Philology
Published by: Institut za jezik
Keywords: etymology; Proto-Slavic; word-formation; semantic change;
Summary/Abstract: The article discusses the origin and development of the Proto-Slavic word *gyzd-ъ/-a and its derivatives in the Slavic daughter languages with particular attention to the formal and semantic developments that help to explain why the word went from a negative meaning (‘mud, excrement’, ‘something disgusting’) in Northern Slavic (West and East) to a positive meaning (‘adornment, embellishment’, ‘showiness, suavity’) in South Slavic.
Journal: Književni jezik
- Issue Year: 2020
- Issue No: 31
- Page Range: 9-23
- Page Count: 15
- Language: English
