Old Spanish <i>Paladino, Palaciano, Palanciano, Palaciego</i>
Yakov Malkiel
Structurally parallel derivatives from a given primitive (such as Lat. TENEBR-ICUS beside TENEBR-OSUS, Fr. verd-eur verdure , OSp. trist-eza trist-ura) in the historical perspective mostly turn out to have been successive rather than simultaneous offshoots.1 As long such formations are studied merely word lists illustrating ranges of individual suffixes that go into their making, sequence events is bound pass unnoticed or, at least, not remain fully discernible. To shed light on relative chronology, it advisable select, an appropriate unit inquiry, growth separate families showing sufficient proliferation derivatives. The implicit severe limitation scope allows explorer focus attention constantly changing interrelations between nuclear formation each family (the primitive) and its satellites number carefully selected, clearly defined cases, which adequate documentation can be furnished unknowns reconstruction reducible barest minimum. These shifts accord with observable semantic expansions contractions radical element ceaselessly availability formatives, which, turn, gradually experience extensions reductions original scopes, proportionate currently used they represented (to extent individuated detached by untutored speakers). linguistic historian thus work intricate pattern attractions repulsions formatives. If his interest broadens culture history, he further able, concrete case Hispano-Latin lexicon, follow (frequently tortuous) course important word-family, including all ramifications, over period two thousand years, aim distinguishing services member through incessant readjustment, has lent consecutive generations speakers, search new expressions for newly-felt needs.
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