In this paper we place holophrases in relation to the contrast between lexical and grammatical signs. Based on Boye & Harder (2012), we first argue that holophrases are neither lexical nor grammatical, but constitute a distinct third type of linguistic signs which is fundamentally different. Subsequently, we address the complication constituted by so-called formulaic expressions, and argue that these are not always holophrastic, but may be lexical and perhaps even grammatical. Finally, based on the proposed sign typology -and on the idea that complexity calls for a functionally motivated, structured division of labour -we present a hypothetical scenario for the phylogenesis of linguistic signs.
Nøgleordholofrase, leksikalsk, grammatisk, formular, fylogenese
IndledningDer er en lang sprogvidenskabelig tradition for at skelne mellem leksikalske og grammatiske tegn. I kinesisk sprogvidenskab kan en tilsvarende sondring mellem shici og xuci føres tilbage til en mere vag skelnen mellem shi og xu, der stammer fra Songdynastiet (960-1279 e.Kr.) (Harbsmeier 1979: 159-162;He 1998). I europaeisk sammenhaeng kan sondringen spores helt tilbage til i hvert fald Aristoteles og hans oversaetter Boethius, der skelnede mellem significativa og consignificativa, og til Priscians sondring mellem categoremata og syncategoremata, der spillede en betydelig © Kasper Boye & Peter Harder og Dansk Sprognaevn Ny for skning i g ra m m ati k , vo l . 2 8 ( 2 0 2 1 ) , 4 -2 2 .