The acceptability of German noun-verb compounds in V2. An experimental approach
Keywords
Loading...
Authors
Issue Date
2025-08-29
Language
en
Document type
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Title
ISSN
Volume
Issue
Startpage
Endpage
DOI
Abstract
Complex German verbs fall into two categories: inseparable prefix verbs and particle verbs that split in verb-second (V2) contexts. Some N+V verbs, combining a base verb with a nominal element, have been described as neither type and labeled non-V2, unable to appear in V2. Explanations attribute this behavior to morphology, degree of lexicalization, or usage-based factors such as frequency, but empirical support remains limited. Previous studies examined few verbs, lacked controls, and omitted statistical analyses, while authors disagree on which verbs qualify, suggesting substantial speaker variation. To address these issues, this study reports a large-scale acceptability judgment experiment comparing thirty candidate non-V2 verbs with canonical particle and prefix verbs. Audio stimuli avoided orthographic bias, and participants rated split and non-split V2 forms. Linear mixed models and clustering reveal no homogeneous class: ratings vary by item and speaker, with many verbs intermediate or patterning with canonical types, supporting gradient, usage-sensitive grammars.
Description
Citation
Supervisor
Faculty
Faculteit der Letteren