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Modification of the SUP by the prefix alder-
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The prefix alder- premodifies morphologically derived superlatives. It may turn the superlative into a high degree marker.

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The prefix alder- premodifies morphologically derived superlatives. It can reinforce the superlative semantics of the adjective. This use may be referred to as superlative alder-. In this case the stress falls on the prefix alder-. The prefix can also turn the superlative into a high degree marker. This use may be referred to as high degree alder-. In that case, the stress may fall on the adjective. High degree alder- is only used with subjective adjectives. Unlike unmodified superlatives, high degree alder- is compatible with the indefinite article:

1
a. *Hy is in aardichste feint
he is an nicest young.boy
He is a very nice young man
b. Hy is in alderaardichste feint
he is an very.nicest young.man
He is an extremely nice young man

High degree alder- is incompatible with the definite article:

2
a. Hy is de aardichste feint
he is the nicest young.boy
He is the nicest young man
b. *Hy is de alderaardichste feint
he is the very.nicest young.man
He is the extremely nice young man

High degree alder- is morphologically a superlative, but semantically, it is not since it lacks the semantic interpretation characteristic of superlatives. The alder- superlative can be semantically characterised as an elative or high degree construction, as indicated by the English translation.

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Literature

More details can be found in Hoekstra (1993).

References
  • Hoekstra, Jarich1993AlderfreonlikstFriesch Dagblad27-02Taalsnipels 249
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