Between derivation and multifunctionality: In search of evidence for conversion

Conversion is related to and even presupposes the identification of word-classes, i.e. whether and to what extent a language displays well curtailed lexical classes to which derivational conversion is applied, or whether a widespread lexical multifunctionality has to be assumed. Typically, isolating languages which display poor morphology offer less clues for the identification of word-classes. On the other hand, in fusional languages like for instance Latin, where a certain solidarity between word-class membership and morphology occurs, it is also not trivial to understand where to assign certain phenomena. One important piece of evidence to unravel this puzzle comes from those languages where massive processes of simplification due to language contact have taken place. In particular, the paper will focus on two Alemannic varieties spoken in linguistic islands in Italy which display clear differences in terms of the impact of the contact environment and provide empirical evidence in support of the idea that simplification leads to lexical multifunctionality.