ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-DEP7-0004 · ATLAS 251

Word boundary

A perceived or graphically marked boundary between linguistic units treated as words.

Explanation

A perceived or graphically marked boundary between linguistic units treated as words. Shows that words are not naturally separated everywhere: listening, writing and cross-linguistic analysis draw boundaries by different means.

Example

In speech, pauses do not reliably separate every word; expectation and sound patterns perform the segmentation.

Counterexample

A mere label without the described formal, cultural or conceptual movement.

Distinction

Distinguish from Worttrenner; the neighbour remains connected as a crossway.

Effect on thought and perception

Shows that words are not naturally separated everywhere: listening, writing and cross-linguistic analysis draw boundaries by different means.

Resonance

Shows that words are not naturally separated everywhere: listening, writing and cross-linguistic analysis draw boundaries by different means.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Word boundary“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-DEP7-0004. ATLAS 251, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-DEP7-0004

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-DEP7-0004

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