Chapter 4: A descriptive analysis of adjectives in Shilluk

Abstract

We argue that Shilluk has adjectives as a lexical category distinct from both nouns and verbs, and present a descriptive analysis of their morphological and syntactic properties. Aside from the base form, the inflectional paradigms of adjectives present two other forms, neither of which are productive. One is the contingent form, which has not been postulated in earlier work. This inflection is used when the attribute is referenced non- permanently, to a limited degree, or subjectively. The other is the plural form, which is available for seven adjectives only. Derivational morphology includes an essence nominalization and an intransitive verb derivation. When adjectives are used as predicates, there is no copula, nor any morphological marking of the syntactic juncture. In contrast, when adjectives are used as modifiers, their status as such is signposted by three different morphosyntactic structures. The choice between these three structures is determined by definiteness and semantic specificity.