In linguistics, functional shift occurs when an existing word takes on a new syntactic function. If no change in form occurs, it is called a zero derivation. For example, the word like, formerly only used as a preposition in comparisons (as in "eats like a pig"), is now also used in the same way as the subordinating conjunctionas in many dialects of English (as in "sounds like he means it"). The boundary between functional shift and conversion (the derivation of a new word from an existing word of identical form) is not well-defined, but it could be construed that conversion changes the lexical meaning and functional shift changes the syntactic meaning.
Shakespeare uses functional shift, for example using a noun to serve as a verb. Researchers found that this technique allows the brain to understand what a word means before it understands the function of the word within a sentence.[1]
Referencesedit
^Liverpool University, UK Reading Shakespeare has dramatic effect on human brain, 18 December 2006
This syntax-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
functional, shift, linguistics, functional, shift, occurs, when, existing, word, takes, syntactic, function, change, form, occurs, called, zero, derivation, example, word, like, formerly, only, used, preposition, comparisons, eats, like, also, used, same, subo. In linguistics functional shift occurs when an existing word takes on a new syntactic function If no change in form occurs it is called a zero derivation For example the word like formerly only used as a preposition in comparisons as in eats like a pig is now also used in the same way as the subordinating conjunction as in many dialects of English as in sounds like he means it The boundary between functional shift and conversion the derivation of a new word from an existing word of identical form is not well defined but it could be construed that conversion changes the lexical meaning and functional shift changes the syntactic meaning Shakespeare uses functional shift for example using a noun to serve as a verb Researchers found that this technique allows the brain to understand what a word means before it understands the function of the word within a sentence 1 References edit Liverpool University UK Reading Shakespeare has dramatic effect on human brain 18 December 2006 nbsp This syntax related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Functional shift amp oldid 1181574942, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
