Parasiticality,Multi-parasitization,and De-parasitization:A Case Study on Parasitical Expressions of(Ir)realis Meaning
This paper investigates the concept of"parasiticality"in language,building on the foundational work of Liu(2018).Parasiticality refers to the phenomenon that certain linguistic meanings or functions depend on,or are"parasitic"upon,other linguistic categories.To provide a comprehensive understanding of this concept,the study conducts a cross-linguistic and cross-dialectal analysis,particularly focusing on the(ir)realis meaning.The(ir)realis meaning,which pertains to the expression of reality or unreality in verbal forms,demonstrates a remarkable potential to be parasitic on various linguistic categories,including but not limited to NEGATION,RESULTIVE,LOCATION,DISPOSITION,and SWITCH REFERENCE.The paper illustrates how(IR)REALIS itself can function as a host category,supporting other parasitic meanings.This dual capability of(ir)realis meanings-as both host and parasite-highlights the dynamic and interconnected nature of linguistic categories.By analyzing these interactions,the study sheds light on the complexity and flexibility inherent in linguistic systems across different languages and dialects.Furthermore,the paper delves into the phenomena of multi-parasitization and de-parasitization,which add extra layers of complexity to the study of parasiticality.Multi-parasitization occurs under two primary conditions:ⅰ)that a single host category is parasitized by multiple meanings;and ⅱ)that a single meaning is parasitic on multiple host categories.The phenomenon underscores the intricate web of dependencies and interactions that can exist within languages,revealing how meanings can simultaneously draw from and contribute to multiple linguistic contexts.In contrast,de-parasitization involves the removal or shedding of parasitic meanings from their host categories.This process can occur for several reasons:ⅰ)that the prototypical meaning of the host category is emphasized or brought to the forefront,effectively overshadowing the parasitic meaning;ⅱ)that a parasitic meaning shifts its dependence to another host category,resulting in its removal from the original host;andⅲ)that a meaning that was once parasitic evolves over time,ultimately shedding its parasitic nature.Through the detailed analysis and extensive examples,this paper provides valuable insights into how parasiticality functions within a language and across languages.By understanding these processes,linguists can gain a deeper appreciation for the fluidity and adaptability of languages,as well as the subtle ways in which meanings and functions can migrate and transform.Ultimately,this research contributes to a broader understanding of linguistic theory,offering new perspectives on the interplay between the language structure and the meaning.