ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-091-021 · ATLAS 251

Reduplication

The formation of linguistic forms through the complete or partial repetition of material.

Explanation

Reduplication can repeat words, stems, syllables, or partial sequences. In German, it is not very productive; in other languages, it regularly carries grammatical meanings.

Example

“Wirrwarr” repeats a modified word form.

Counterexample

“very, very beautiful” is syntactic intensification, not word formation.

Distinction

Gemination; mere rhetorical repetition

Effect on thought and perception

Links repetition with intensity, distribution, duration, or plurality.

Resonance

The form repeats itself, but the repetition generates additional meaning.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Reduplication“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-091-021. ATLAS 251, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-091-021

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-091-021

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