Morphomic distribution of augments in varieties of Occitan

Abstract

This study examines the distribution and function of ‘augments’ within modern Occitan verb paradigms. Most augments in Occitan are reflexes of the Latin ingressive infix -(Ī/Ē)SC-, as in other Romance languages; but Occitan has also developed novel inflectional formatives which display similar behaviour. Like the reflexes of -(Ī/Ē)SC-, these formatives serve as inflectional class markers, and their paradigmatic distribution conforms to existing morphomic templates. The study provides an overview of the diverse paradigmatic distributions of augments encountered in Occitan; proposes an account of the origin of the novel formatives; and discusses the apparent correlation between the spread of augments and the neutralisation of conjugational class distinctions in inflectional desinences.