Linguistic Decategorization

This book offers a groundbreaking exploration of the dynamic interplay between decategorization and categorization, shedding new light on their pivotal roles in semantic expansion and syntactic restructuring. Through in-depth analysis of key linguistic phenomena, such as functional polysemy and the decategorization of nouns and verbs, it uncovers the generative mechanisms behind special constructions like the "adverb-noun" structure and verb-object compounds. The authors demonstrate not only the practicality but also the theoretical viability of using decategorization as an explanatory framework for functional polysemy. This innovative approach resolves longstanding complexities in empirical language data and opens up fresh pathways for advanced theoretical development. An essential resource for scholars and practitioners in language teaching and lexicography, this volume bridges cutting-edge research with real-world applications.