Recursion in Morphology

Abstract

Abstract This chapter considers phenomena that have been called recursive within morphology. These include cyclic and interleaved application of morphology and phonology, nested morphosyntactic structures, the (non‐)reorderability of affixes and apparent prosodic recursion at the (sub‐)word level. The predictions that existing models make about recursive morphological structures are considered and the chapter examines whether those predictions hold across languages. Case studies from a variety of typologically distinct languages are examined, including Malayalam (Dravidian), Adyghe (Northwest Caucasian), Dakota (Siouan), Zezuru Shona and Chichewa (Bantu), Kaqchikel (Mayan) and English. Ultimately, it is found that morphological recursion tends to align with, but is more restricted than, syntactic recursion. Phonological and semantic constraints tend to limit the kinds of morphological recursion seen across languages.