On approximative degree morphology in Finnish: A comparison of two suffixes

Abstract

This paper discusses two approximative suffixal morphemes in Finnish, -hkO and -VhtAvA which, at first glance, both seem to resemble English -ish. However, I show that these two suffixes differ systematically in their distribution and semantics, and operate on different kinds of scales. I propose that -hkO, which attaches to gradable adjectives, signals proximity to a standard on a gradable scale provided by the adjective that -hkO modifies. In contrast, I claim that -VhtAvA, which attaches to nouns, signals proximity to a prototypical/canonical denotation of the noun that -VhtAvA modifies. Thus, the two approximative degree morphemes in Finnish wear their scale structure on their sleeve, so to speak. Evidence from comparatives and superlatives, as well as constraints on the order in which these suffixes can be stacked, supports the proposed analysis.