A historical dictionary of invariable adjectives in French

Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
A historical dictionary of invariable adjectives in French:
lexicographical and theoretical challenges
Anna Gazdik
[email protected]
Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz
Institut für Romanistik
June 6, 2014
A historical dictionary of invariable adjectives in French: lexicographical and theoretical challenges
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
Aims
aim: present the project "A historical dictionary of adjective-adverbs in
French"
terminology
Adjective-adverbs
the masculine singular form of the adjective takes over adverbial functions
(for instance, the modification of verbs) in languages that have distinct
morphosyntactic categories (adjectives and adverbs)
(1)
Jean parle honnêtement.
Jean speaks honestly
(2)
Jean travaille dur.
Jean works hard
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
Adjectives and adverbs in the modifier function
usual assumption: adjectives modify nouns and agree with them
adverbs modify the other categories and are always invariable (no
gender/number features available)
modified category
adjective
adverb
example
noun
4
8
une jolie fille
adjective
8
4
très grand
verb
8
4
il court rapidement
adverb
8
4
bien rapidement
preposition
8
4
exactement à 9 heures
sentence
8
4
Franchement, il est...
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
Reality
adverbs can sometimes modify nouns
modified category
adverb
example
noun
4
très gentleman
adjectives can modify all the other categories as well
modified category
adjective
example
adjective
4
tout(e) ému(e), grandes ouvertes
verb
4
refuser net, la fleur sent bonne
adverb
4
fort bien
preposition
4
aller direct à la gare
sentence
4
Effarouchée, elle s’en va.
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
Adjective agreement in the modifier function
with the directly modified noun
adjectives modifying another adjective, or a verb: with an accessible
noun
modified category
adjective agreement
example
noun
4
jolie fille
adjective
possible
tout(e) ému(e), grandes ouvertes
verb
possible
refuser net, la fleur sent bonne
sentence
4
Effarouchée, elle s’en va.
adverb
8
fort bien
preposition
8
aller direct à la gare
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
Adjectives as verbal modifiers
modified category
adjective agreement
example
noun
4
jolie fille
adjective
possible
tout(e) ému(e), grandes ouvertes
verb
possible
refuser net, la fleur sent bonne
sentence
4
Effarouchée, elle s’en va.
adverb
8
fort bien
preposition
8
aller direct à la gare
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
Adjective adverbs
Usual assumptions in the grammars:
AAs are always invariable (?)
analyzable as back formation from the corresponding adverbs in -ment
hautement → aimer *haute, aimer haut
franchement → parler *franche, parler franc
AAs are a restricted group
new phenomenon
→ to be refuted in the Historical Dictionary of Invariable Adjectives in
French
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
Outline
1
Introduction
2
The Dictionary
3
Lexicographical challenges
4
Theoretical challenges
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
The results of the previous FWF project
the online Databank (Hummel & Stiegler)
(http://languageserver.uni-graz.at/dicoadverbe)
13000 citations (mostly from the Frantext corpus, from the 11th century
until the present day)
698 verbs
291 adjective adverbs
2081 verb − adjective-adverb combinations
→ continuity with late Latin and old French
a preliminary version of the dictionary entries of the 1928 verb −
adjective-adverb combinations (Martine Bosson, Céline Gasrel)
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
The present project
FWF
October 2013 − September 2016
members
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
The aims of the present project
correction and development of the databank
preparation of the lexical entries for publication
completion of the grammatical remarks
verification of sources
compilation of the bibliography
new citations from contemporary language
new examples from Frantext
Internet sources (chat forums, googlebooks, ...)
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
The microstructure of the lexical entries
examples in chronological order under the different significations of the verb − adjective
adverb group, and further according to the syntactic properties of the verb (transitive,
intransitive, emploi absolu, pronominal); one example per century is kept, and those
illustrating linguistically relevant information (tertiary modification, word order variations,
collocations, etc.)
Remarques (Remarks): two parts
semantic information: type of adjective-adverb, specifications of the contexts in which it is used
grammatical properties: complement/adjunct status of the adjective-adverb, possibility of tertiary
modification, (in)variability of the adjective-adverb, register
Anglais (English), Langues romanes (Romance languages): eventual equivalents in
English and other Romance languages
Voir aussi (See also): synonyms and antonyms in the dictionary
Documentation complémentaire: examples coming from the Internet, illustrating
contemporary spontaneous speech/writing, the rules of orthography and prescriptive
grammars are often not respected (ex. agreement)
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
Secondary predicates or adverbial use?
the adverbial use of the adjective cannot always be clearly distinguished from a
secondary predicate (in Documentation complémentaire)?
resultatives
(3)
Sy n’y eurent guieres esté, quant Patroclus le bon archier descocha sa saiette
sus la dame si droit qu’il lui en percha la gorge et morte l’abaty au prez de
Jason, et puis il s’en issy de son embauche moult joyeux. (Raoul Levèvre,
L’Histoire de Jason, 1464)
(4)
Et verité, qui nul ne flate,
Que tricherie abat juste plate. (Christine de Pizan, Le livre de la mutacion de
fortune, 1400)
descriptives
(5)
Tous les beaux discours qu’ils me pourraient débiter n’y feraient rien. Je sais
d’avance ce qu’ils vont dire, et j’achèverais toute seule. (Théophile Gautier,
Mademoiselle de Maupin, 1836)
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
What comes into the headword?
adjective-adverb always (?) modified by an adverb or a quantifier
(7)
Viens! Le jour va s’éteindre... il s’efface, et je pleure. N’as-tu pas entendu la voix
? écoute l’heure; c’est ma voix qui te nomme et t’accuse tout bas; c’est l’amour
qui t’appelle et tu ne l’entends pas! (Marceline Desbordes-Valmore, Oeuvres
poétiques I, 1833, via Frantext)
(8)
Voilà cet instinct qui l’annonce plus haut que l’aurore et la nuit. Voilà l’éternelle
réponse au doute qui se reproduit! (Alphonse de Lamartine, Harmonies
politiques et religieuses, 1830, via Frantext)
collocations
(9)
Non, le drame ii n’est pas restreint à la vie privée, il s’agite ou plus haut ou
plus bas. Ne vous attendez pas à de la passion, le vrai ne sera que trop
dramatique. (Honoré de Balzac, Les Paysans, 1850)
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
Lexicalized expressions: separate definitions?
aller beau, s’en aller beau
s’en aller bien et beau Carême (jouir à nouveau des plaisirs défendus au
temps de carême)
(10)
je te viens adorer, à l’escharbot le brun, à je vous prens sans
verd, à bien et beau s’en va Quaresme (François Rabelais,
Gargantua, 1542, via Frantext)
aller droit son chemin (agir selon sa propre volonté)
(11)
Oh! les jeunes filles, aujourd’hui vont droit leur chemin, même
si ce n’est pas le droit chemin. (Henry Bordeaux, La Vie est un
sport, 1950)
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
Unique/ad-hoc formations
one example, in a separate headword?
(12)
M. Chu, chinois, peint abstrait mais aime figuratif.
(France-Soir, le 9 avril 1960)
creative and productive use of adjective − adverbs not a restricted
group in the grammar
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
Frequent adjective-adverbs: separate headword?
fort: combines with most of the verbs
abattre, aboyer, accoler, accorder, accroître, afficher, agréer, aimer, aller, appeler,
appresser, approcher, aprismer, ardre, armer, arrêter, assaillir, assener, baiser, baisser,
battre, blesser, boire, bouter, bruire, brûler, causer, chanter, chasser, cheminer,
chevaucher, clamer, cogner, combattre, connaître, corner, coudre, courir, courroucer,
crier, croître, demander, dessiner, destreindre, dire, disputer, dormir, douloir, douter,
dresser, défendre, délier, détester, embrasser, empeindre, empoigner, enamer, endormir,
enfler, ennouer, enserrer, entendre, entortiller, entr’aimer, entreférir, estimer, exclamer,
faire, frapper, frotter, fâcher, férir, grever, guerroyer, gémir, heurter, hâter, imaginer,
joindre, jouter, jurer, lacer, lamenter, lancer, lier, louer, luire, maintenir, marcher, menacer,
merveiller, monter, moquer, murmurer, mêler, navrer, neiger, nier, nouer, nuire, ouvrer,
parler, penser, piquer, plaindre, plaire, player, pleurer, pleuvoir, poursuivre, pratiquer,
presser, prier, priser, puer, randonner, redouter, regarder, respirer, rire, réjouir, répondre,
sentir, serrer, siffler, sonner, souffler, souhaiter, soulever, soupirer, soutenir, supplier,
taper, tendre, tenir, tirer, tonner, traire, trancher, travailler, troubler, venter, vivre, vêtir,
écrier, écrire, émerveiller, émouvoir, étonner, étreindre, étudier
A historical dictionary of invariable adjectives in French: lexicographical and theoretical challenges
separate lexical entry?
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
Invariability
too few examples from Old and Middle French
(13)
De ceulz meimes qu’elle a hault acreü,
Trebusche tost, et ce voit on souvent
Que ce joyes ne sont fors que droit vent. (Christine de Pizan, Cent Ballades, c.
1400)
new contemporary examples in Documentation complémentaire
(14)
le montant du paiement divisé augmenté à un rythme croissant, ce qui montre
qu’il ya eu une augmentation de la rentabilité de l’entreprise et cela est dû à
des efforts accrus haut externaliser le travail pas cher dans d’autres parties du
monde. (http://freefrencharticles.com/education/limpact-de-lexternalisation-surhoneywell-performance-de-lentreprise)
(15)
Le phare 190PS Land Rover Freelander SD4 accélère de repos à 60 mph en
8,7 secondes avec une vitesse accrue haut de 118 mph. (http://land-roverfrance.blogspot.co.at/2011/03/2011-land-rover-freelander-2.html)
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
Adjective-adverb or modifier of a preposition
in most cases, droit is followed by a prepositional phrase → part of
the PP?
relevance in the dictionary?
(16)
acheminer droit
(17)
J’adressai le paquet droit chez vous, et comme je n’en ai point eu de
réponse, j’en suis en peine et meurs de peur qu’il n’ait été perdu. (Mme de
Sévigné, Correspondance: 1646-1675)
(18)
Il s’en alla droit vers la rue de la Paix, acheter à Mme d’Asti un rang de
perles, un souvenir de plus de deux mille louis! (Paul Bourget, Physiologie
de l’amour moderne, 1890)
A historical dictionary of invariable adjectives in French: lexicographical and theoretical challenges
(19)
Que l’on te dise: "va-t’en", c’était assez pour que tu reviennes; et que ce
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
Two groups of adjective-adverbs
Abeille & Godard
no other complement possible: manger sain
other complements possible: refuser net la proposition (the adjective
adverb is an adjunct)
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
Two possible analyses of complement
adjective-adverbs
the adjective-adverb is the complement of a transitive verb
the transitive verb is used intransitively, and the adjective-adverb is a
modifier of the existentially bound but non-overt object: manger chaud
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
Agreeing adjective-adverbs I
some adjective-adverbs show agreement with a subject or object
nominal
most of them are adjuncts
interpreted as manner adverbs and not as depictive secondary
predicates
analysis as hypercorrection not always possible (20)
(20)
La lampe brûlait
très haute.
the lamp was burning very high-fem
(Rougon-Macquart: Une page d’amour, 1878, via Frantext)
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
Agreeing adjective-adverbs II
(21)
Car, que la pluie tombe légère ou drue, [...] les [...] spectateurs [...]
as, that tha rain falls light or thick,
the
spectators
n’abandonnent pas la position.
do not leave
the position
(Roger Caillois ed., Jeux et sports 1967, via Frantext)
(22)
Cette fleur sent bonne.
this flower smells good.fem
(Noailly, to appear)
(23)
Je suis sur le point d’arrêter nette ma conso
de cannabis.
I am on the point of stopping neat my consumption of cannabis
http://egeria.overblog.com/faites-taire-votre-gremlin (06.12.2013)
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
Agreeing adjective-adverbs III
(24)
Cela signifie qu’ils vont faciles sur les articulations des jambes
That means that they go easy on the joints
of the legs
http://www.articles-lib.com/gras-et-chauve.html (08.11.2013)
(25)
L’entraineur [...] exhorte
les joueurs [..] à continuer par se battre durs pour le
The coach
encourages the players
to continue
to fight hard for the
match [...].
match
http://www.livefoot.fr/afrique/egypte.php?p=5 (10.02.2014)
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
Tentative analysis
the agreement pattern suggests that these adjective-adverbs are
reanalyzed as predicative VP adjuncts
as predicates, they show formal agreement with a nominal: they agree
with the object of transitive verbs or the subject of unaccusative verbs
(never with Agents) (see Ledgeway on Southern Italian)
as opposed to depictives, they precede the complement(s), whereas
depictives follow it/them
(26)
Jean loue son appartement vide.
Jean lets his flat
empty.
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Introduction
The Dictionary
Lexicographical challenges
Theoretical challenges
Further issues
adjective-adverbs as part of the basic vocabulary of the language
the adjectives the most frequently used in everyday communication
usually monomorphematic
paradigmatic oppositions:
aimer : haut − bas; fort/double/ferme/profond/plein/cher − suave/petit
Dixon
as part of jargon and slang
(27)
(28)
Les Autrichiens jouent dur (Sélection du Monde 10-16.12.1959)
K baisons utile, baisons futile, mais baisons à fond! Ca rend moins cons!
(http://fr.rec.sport.vtt.narkive.com/AXN66e4i/video-jeu-a-la-con.2)
tertiary modifications:
affirmer très haut, aimer plus cher, accuser tout bas, annoncer bien haut,
boire si fort, chanter trop haut
fleurs fraîches écloses, portes grandes ouvertes
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