Sequential word repetitions in the VMS

[Emma May Smith]

The direct repetition of words could be explained in a few different ways, such as:

1) reduplication as a grammatical feature, where a word or part of a word is repeated in order to express some meaning, like plurality or intensiveness;

2) an incorrect understanding of word or phrase division on our part, so that two words in sequence in the text we see are not sequential grammatically (a new sentence or new clause), or that two word in sequence are actually grammatically different (like in the English sentence, "See the ape ape my actions!");

3) an imperfect script which makes words appear the same in writing despite having different pronunciations (Book Pahlavi is a notorious example); and

4) a restricted sound or syllable structure which causes a high rate of homophony, so that many words sound the same because there is a limited number of possible syllables.

The last two points may not only exacerbate one another, they would also explain the odd repetitious phrases involving only small changes to words. Such phrases may have vastly different, and wholly unconnected meanings.