"Gailu"ren bilakabidea garai bateko testuetatik oraingoetara

Abstract

In this article, we wish to explain the distinct evolution undergone by the suffix gailu in the texts included in the historical and actual corpora. This evolution shows peculiar properties, for gailu has evolved from being a simple suffix to being a noun included as an independent entry in the dictionary. It is also singular with regards to its geographical distribution. What used to be a lexical resource of the French Basque area is now used more frequently (and more productively) in texts from the southern Basque Country. Within the current uses, it has largely become a normal resource in scientific and technological speeches, while the other uses have almost disappeared. We give evidence of all this based on the corpuses Orotariko Euskal Hiztegia, XX. Mendeko Euskararen Corpusa, Ereduzko Prosa Gaur and Zientzia eta Teknologiaren Corpusa.