Deklinationsklassen im diachronen Längsschnitt
Abstract
Abstract This article investigates the development of declension classes in parts of West Central German with historical and regional data. The focus lies on the plural marking of nouns belonging to the neuter a -declension and the feminine ō -declension. The analysis explores the formation of distinct plural markers from the 11 th to the 19 th century. The diachronic and diatopic distribution patterns are elucidated and related to semantic factors such as animacy. The study confirms that number strengthening ( Numerusprofilierung ) is a central motive for diachronic change in noun inflection and highlights the influence of phonological processes on the organization of declension classes.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Linguistics and language evolution
Linguistic research and analysis
Linguistic Variation and Morphology
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Beiträge zur Geschichte der deutschen Sprache und Literatur (PBB)
- Publisher
- Walter de Gruyter GmbH
- Volume
- 148
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 1–43
- Publication date
- 3 March 2026
- Language
- EN