Das Fugenelement -e- in NN-Komposita im Mooringer Friesisch als Stammerweiterung

Abstract

In this article we discuss the distribution of the linking element -e- in NN-compounds in Mooring Frisian, a mainland North Frisian dialect. Although this linking element is homophonous with the regular plural ending -e in Mooring Frisian and triggers plural allomorphy, we argue against an equation of linking element and plural ending. We propose that linking elements are semantically void augments or stem extensions, that may optionally serve phonological (prosodic) and/or quasi-morphological functions. Thus the linking element -e- can build trochees and function as an indirect marker of the stem inherent morphosemantic features (countability, animacy) or the first component’s contextual meaning (plural interpre¬tation). In addition, we address some dialectological and historical aspects of the development of the linking element -e- in Mooring Frisian in Mooring Frisian.