Decomposing distribution across dimensions: evidence from Libras
ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the investigation of the meaning of reduplication in Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) analyzing the contribution of each of its forms: repetition \rep) and alternation \alt) In order to check their role, we proceeded a data collection with a native signer during elicitation sessions following the methodology for semantic elicitation (Matthewson, 2004) We also collected a spontaneous datum with another signer. We show that \rep is related to aspectual distribution, and \alt is associated to two pieces of information participant related distribution and aspectual distribution. We propose a formal analysis for each of the forms as well as of the way they interact compositionally.