Reduplication

In linguistics, reduplication is a morphological process where the root or stem of a word, or even the whole word, is repeated either exactly or with a small change. This process helps languages express ideas like manyness, repetition, or intensity.

The famous linguist Edward Sapir noted that reduplication often carries clear meaning, like showing something is repeated, many, or stronger. It can be used in inflections to show grammar rules, such as making words plural, or in lexical derivation to create entirely new words. Reduplication makes speech more expressive and vivid.

Reduplication appears in many different languages and language families, although how often it is used can vary. It dates back to very old languages, like Sumerian, where it helped form some color terms, such as babbar meaning “white” and kukku meaning “black”. This process is known by several names, including cloning, doubling, duplication, repetition, and tautonymy when used in biological taxonomies, like the scientific name Bison bison.

Typological description

Reduplication is a way that languages repeat parts of words to change their meaning. It can involve repeating whole words or just parts of them. For example, in some languages, repeating a word can show that something is happening many times, or that there is a lot of something.

In many languages, reduplication helps to show ideas like "many" or "again." For instance, in Malay, the word for "house" is rumah, and by repeating it, rumah-rumah, it means "houses." Some languages also use reduplication to make words stronger or more expressive.

Babbling in child language acquisition

Around 25 to 50 weeks after birth, babies go through a stage called reduplicated or canonical babbling. During this time, they repeat the same or very similar sounds, like nanana or idididi. This helps babies practice using their voices and get used to the sounds of their language. Canonical babbling happens around the same time that babies start showing rhythmic movements with their hands and feet. This stage is different from earlier sounds babies make because it has more pattern and structure.

Examples

English uses reduplication in various playful and expressive ways. For example, words like "itsy-bitsy" or "hocus-pocus" repeat parts of themselves to create a fun, rhythmic sound. This kind of reduplication helps to make language more vivid and interesting.

In some cases, reduplication can show intensity or repetition. For instance, saying "a big, big problem" emphasizes how serious the problem is. Reduplication can also create new meanings, like turning "red" into "redder and redder" to show something becoming progressively redder over time. These patterns make language more colorful and help convey emotions and ideas in a unique way.