Elements with ambiguous morphological status: The marker -idz(o) in Griko

Abstract

In this paper, we examine some verbal formations with the element -idz(o) in Griko, a Greek-based dialect spoken in South Italy, and argue that -idz(o) has an ambiguous morphological status. We show that in some formations idz(o) seems to have undergone a change from a prototypical derivational suffix to a simple inflection-class indicator. We also propose that this change is triggered by a tendency of the Griko verbal system to level its inflection classes and provide evidence for a grammaticalization case affecting derivational material.