nominalisoi

Nominalisoi is a term in linguistics and cultural studies describing a hypothesized class of nominal forms that retain noun status while exhibiting cross-functional versatility. In languages with nominalisoi, certain nouns can function as verbs, adjectives, or relational markers without standard derivational morphology. The concept is used to analyze how naming and identity are encoded in grammar and discourse.

Origin and scope: The name combines the Latin nominalis (of a name) with a plural-suffix practice drawn from Greek linguistic terminology. The notion is employed in typological discussions to denote recurring patterns across language families rather than a single language.

Characteristics: Nominalisoi forms typically show high polysemy, denoting objects, acts of naming, or properties linked to the named item. They may occur in nominalizations, predicative constructions, and as descriptors within noun phrases. In some variants their grammatical status shifts with mood, aspect, or clitic placement, enabling flexible expression of events and states.

Example: In a hypothetical language, the word nomar is a nominalisoi meaning “name,” “to name,” and “named one,” depending on context and affixation. The same form can appear as a noun, a verb, or an adjective, illustrating cross-functional use rather than a fixed category.

Significance: Researchers study nominalisoi to understand how naming acts are embedded in syntax and how speakers encode social identity, authority, and ontology through nominal form.

Criticism: The concept is debated for vagueness and cross-linguistic generalization. Critics argue it risks conflating distinct grammatical processes, while supporters view nominalisoi as a useful heuristic for examining the interface between lexicon, syntax, and social meaning.

See also: Nominalization, polysemy, deictic, language and identity.