Lexeme And Flexeme In A Formal Theory Of Grammar

This paper deals with the role played by the notion of a lexeme in a constraint-based lexicalist theory of grammar such as Head-driven Phrase Structure Grammar. Adopting a Word and Paradigm view of inflection, we show how the distinction between lexemes, individuated by their lexical semantics, and flexemes, individuated by their inflectional paradigm, can fruitfully be integrated in such a framework. This allows us to present an integrated analysis of stem spaces, inflection classes, heteroclisis and overabundance.