| Previous studies about comparatives and superlatives mainly focused on the explanation of syntax and semantics of certain constructions,and thus morphology,which is sometimes characterized as the domain of lawless,was less studied.This study is based on nearly 30 languages and tried to figure out the regularities and the distinctive features of comparatives/superlatives cross-linguistically.With respect to the paradigm of comparatives and superlatives,this essay classifies the approaches to comparatives into five types and those to relative superlatives into two types in general and six sub-types specifically,which is different from Ultan's(1972)classification.This essay also identifies some problems existing in Bobaljik's(2012)generalizations which deserve further refinements.What is more,this essay studies the similarities shared by languages that use irregular formsof comparatives and the reasons behind the phenomenon.Besides,this essay explores the absolute superlative,which was less mentioned in the previous studies.Specifically,there are five approaches to absolute superlative cross-linguistically.The properties of absolute superlatives are indefiniteness,unambiguity,and more importantly,not all the adjectives have absolute superlative forms.This essay explores in depth the case in English and puts forward the general rules for words that have absolute superlative forms. |
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