The Geometry of Grammatical Meaning: Semantic Maps and Cross-Linguistic Comparison

A recurrent problem in linguistic analysis is the existence of multiple senses or uses of a linguistic unit. Although this affects all meaningful elements of language alike, content words as well as function words (such as prepositions and auxiliaries) and affixal categories (such as tense and case), it is particularly prominent with the latter two. Function words and affixes, which I group together as “grammatical morphemes” (or “grams” for short), have more abstract and general meanings and are thus more apt to be used in multiple ways than content words. Moreover, many linguists regard the study of grammar as more interesting and prestigious, so the grams have tended to occupy center stage in linguistic theory. A few examples of grammatical morphemes with multiple senses/uses are given in (1) to (3). Each English example is followed by a short label describing the use or sense. The specific item whose uses/senses are exemplified is highlighted by boldface.