Selkirk's theory of verbal compounding: a critical appraisal

  • Rudolf P. Botha Stellenbosch University

Abstract

This paper presents a critical appraisal of the theory of verbal compounding proposed recently by Selkirk (1981).1) On her (1981 :246) view, English verbal compounds are "endocentric adjective or noun compounds whose head adjective or noun (respectively) is morphologically complex, having been derived from a verb, and whose nonhead constituent is interprete d as an argument of the head a d·]ectlv·e or" noun. 2) To l. llustrate this characterization of verbal compounds Selkirk (1981:247) furnishes examples such as the following:
Section
Articles