LEXICALISATION OF PLURAL FORMS OF NOUNS
Keywords:
lexicalisation, plural nouns, semantics, English morphology, fixed expressions, idiomatic usage, noun forms, language evolution, lexical divergence, grammaticalisationAbstract
article explores the phenomenon of lexicalisation of plural noun forms in the English language. While pluralisation is generally regarded as a grammatical process indicating quantity, certain plural forms evolve beyond their original function and acquire distinct lexical meanings. These plural forms, such as customs, premises, and glasses, often diverge semantically from their singular counterparts and function as independent lexical items. The article examines the linguistic characteristics of such lexicalised plurals, provides illustrative examples, and discusses the grammatical, semantic, and pragmatic implications of their usage. It also briefly considers similar phenomena in other languages, highlighting the broader relevance of lexicalisation in linguistic theory and language evolution.