Verandering in deeltjies : die ontwikkeling van die deeltjiewerkwoord in Afrikaans

Abstract

Particle verbs is an interesting phenomenon that can be found across various Germanic languages. The particle verbs from different languages show their own distinct characteristics, as a result of their development over time. Various diachronic studies investigate this development in other Germanic languages such as English, Dutch and Swedish. Now, the Afrikaans particle verb will share in the diachronic spotlight. Six groups of particle verbs – those with the particles aan (in, on) and oor (over), and those with the verbs kry (get), val (fall), neem (take) and maak (make) – are examined in order to identify and describe the changes in Afrikaans particle verbs from 1911 to 2010. This goal is achieved by combining diachronic construction grammar and corpus linguistics. Three areas are considered when looking at changes in the Afrikaans particle verb construction, namely schematicity, productivity and form. It is found that the particle verb construction increases in schematicity, which is reflected in an increase in type frequency: the construction itself becomes more abstract, allowing a greater variety of particles to bind with verbs, and vice versa. The increase of abstractness can also be seen when considering the meaning of individual particle verbs in different corpora. There is also an increase in the productivity of the Afrikaans particle verb construction. The increase in type frequency is accompanied by an increase in token frequency – not only is the number of particle verbs increasing, but the amount of particle verbs that are used, also increases. A change in form can also be observed, as phrases that were once used as individual words, combine to be used as a particle verb.