Grammaticalization of Intensifiers in Persian language

Document Type : Grammar

Author

Assistant Professor, Department of English Language Teaching, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran.

10.22091/jls.2024.11136.1622

Abstract

This study investigates the grammaticalization of intensifiers in the Persian language. The research employs a descriptive-analytical methodology, drawing on a corpus of fifty Persian-language websites from Iran. The primary objectives are to: a) identify the distinctive characteristics of Persian intensifiers; b) trace the process of grammaticalization of these intensifiers; c) determine the semantic sources that contribute to their development. The study seeks to answer the following research questions: What are the primary semantic sources of intensifiers in Persian? Do Persian intensifiers primarily enter the language through grammaticalization? What are the specific pathways of grammaticalization for these intensifiers? Preliminary findings suggest that Persian intensifiers often originate from lexical items related to “extent”, “greatness”, or “abundance”. However, a more in-depth analysis is necessary to fully understand the grammaticalization process and the various semantic sources involved. This research contributes to the broader field of linguistic inquiry by shedding light on the evolution of intensifiers in a specific language context. By examining the grammaticalization of intensifiers in Persian, we can gain valuable insights into the dynamic nature of language change and the interplay between lexical and grammatical structures.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Rhetoric and Grammar Studies
Volume 14, Issue 25
Spring and summer
August 2024
Pages 19-33

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