nounphenomenon

The nounphenomenon is a term used in linguistics to describe a recurring pattern in which nouns extend beyond their core referential function to participate in other grammatical categories. The core idea is that nouns can form verbs and, in some languages, even adjectives or predicative constructions without conventional derivational affixes. A typical manifestation is the denominal verb, where a noun is recruited into verbal syntax through conversion or light derivation (for example, email as a verb; brunch as a verb). In addition, nouns may appear in syntactic positions and with functions normally associated with adjectives or predicates in certain languages, driven by metaphorical extension or language-specific rules.

The nounphenomenon reflects interactions between lexical semantics and morphosyntax. It is often explained in terms of zero-derivation (conversion), polysemy, and cognitive salience of concrete nouns, which makes it easy to extend a noun into new grammatical roles. Cross-linguistically, productive denominalization is common in Germanic and some Romance languages, though the exact patterns vary.

Scholarly discussion emphasizes three points: how to define and delimit the phenomenon, whether it constitutes a single mechanism or multiple processes, and how to model its productivity in typological and psycholinguistic work. Critics warn that overly broad definitions may conflate unrelated processes. Related concepts include denominal verbs, conversion, and lexical category shifting.