ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-NAV-G02-032 · ATLAS 259

Determinative compound

A determinative compound is a compound in which one component semantically specifies another.

Part of the subject path Morphology and Word Formation

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

A · Analytical concept R1 · Distinct contribution to understanding

Determinative compound adds the internal modifying relation as a comparison within compounding. Not every combination of two bases exhibits the required semantic hierarchy.

Colours and admission grounds

The rectangular label identifies the entry function: F – linguistic figure or procedure; A – analytical concept; G – foundational concept; E – selected concrete case. The rounded badge indicates the admission ground: R1 – distinctive contribution; R2 – necessary foundation; R3 – justified illustrative case. This editorial rationale explains the current selection rather than claiming an undocumented original selection history.

Explanation

A determinative compound combines components in a modifying relationship. In the German prototype, a modifier specifies the meaning of the head. Gartenhaus then denotes a kind of house. The precise relationship need not be fully expressed; it is inferred from usage and context. Right-headedness here describes a German pattern, not a universal ordering. The scope of the category must also be stated: grammis includes exocentric determinative compounds as a special case. This entry focuses on the endocentric prototype while acknowledging that broader usage, rather than equating modification with endocentricity.

Movement of thought

1. Identify the immediate components. 2. Identify the possible head. 3. Paraphrase the modifying relationship. 4. Check what the whole compound refers to. 5. State the ordering and scope of the category.

Scientific use case

A corpus analysis can annotate nominal compounds for component relation, reference and lexicalised meaning, checking decisions against passages in context.

Example

In the constructed test, German Gartenhaus is a kind of house. Garten modifies Haus; the components alone do not specify every use of the building.

Counterexample

German Rotkehlchen denotes a bird, not a kind of throat. grammis treats such exocentric formations as a special case, so the prototype test does not cover its whole category.

Distinction

Distinguish coordinative compounding, mere word sequences and endocentricity. Semantic reference, morphological head and linear position are separate criteria.

Effect on thought and perception

Analysis can show which relationship a compact word expresses and which information it leaves to context.

Resonance

Two lexical domains meet; one gives the whole a direction without spelling out every relationship.

Provenance

Parallel source review reconciled 2026-10-07; human specialist review not claimed.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Determinative compound“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-NAV-G02-032. ATLAS 259, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G02-032

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G02-032

The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. Editorial reading state: 2026-10-15. Include your access date for precise references.