Hyperanalysis

From Glottopedia
Revision as of 15:39, 29 October 2007 by Corinna Handschuh (talk | contribs) (New page: Through '''hyperanalysis''', a linguistic unit loses a part or all of its meaning or function. This process takes place in a situation where the hearers interpret some inherent semanti...)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Through hyperanalysis, a linguistic unit loses a part or all of its meaning or function. This process takes place in a situation where the hearers interpret some inherent semantic or functional property of a linguistic unit as given by the context the item occurs in.

Hyperanalysis is one of the four mechanisms of form-function reanalysis established by Croft (2000). He also refers to this mechanism as "overanalysis". The opposite process is at work in the mechanism of hypoanalysis.

References

  • Croft, William. 2000. Explaining Language Change. An Evolutionary Perspective, ch. 5. Form-function reanalysis. Harlow: Longman, 117-144.