From lexical to referential gender: An analysis of gender change in medieval English based on two historical documents

In this study we discuss the distribution of gender exponents in Old and early Middle English based on an analysis of two historical documents (Orosius, Peterborough Chronicle). The gender exponents investigated include demonstratives, adjectives, numerals and pronouns. We analyzed 179 noun phrases from the Orosius and 1,090 noun phrases from the Peterborough Chronicle. While the Orosius illustrates a highly consistent distribution of gender exponents, the Peterborough Chronicle contains substantial variation. As for the Peterborough Chronicle, we can demonstrate that the number of gender exponents that is used in conflict to the Old English gender system increases over time. In addition, we investigate the most important factors responsible for the observable variation focusing on the properties of the head nouns and their referents. Our results show that noun phrase internal and noun phrase external gender exponents behave differently. Moreover, formal properties of the head noun (structural and morphological case, number) are better predictors for gender variation than the properties of the referent (abstractness, degree of individuation).