The Latin Third Declension in the Scope of Natural Morphology

Abstract

a) Within the methodological approach of Natural Morphology we evaluate the model of the 3 rd declension built up on implicational relation among morphological properties as proposed for masculines and feminines of the 3 rd declension by Wurzel (1989). We comment on Dressler's (2001) potential system of Latin inflection and the classification of default and non default forms within the macroclass of the 3 rd declension nouns given by him. We add the model of the macroclass of the 3 rd declension adjectives. Some criteria of productivity of the consonantal, i-and mixed classes are dealt with, as well, (b) Referring to material in Grammatici Latini (Priscianus) we observe the functioning of extramorphological (phonological, semantic and morphosemantic) properties. Within Priscianus' model one extramorphological property or a simple combination of properties does not predict paradigm structure conditions of only one and not some other class. Nor can we rely on Priscianus' implications among morphological properties, (c) In the 3 rt declension nonfunctional formal distinctions tends to be eliminated. The dominant paradigm structure conditions: acc. sg. -em, abl. sg. -e/-i, gen. pl. -um/-ium, acc. pl. -es are formed. The fact that Latin became a dead language might have been taken into consideration in simplified inflectional rules used at school: only the dominant paradigm structure conditions of 3 dominant classes for masculines and feminines and 2 classes for neuters are related to extramorphological properties; the network of "exceptions" has to be added.