Beck et al. (2009) and much follow-up research (including Bochnak 2015; Bowler 2016; Deal and Hohaus 2019) argue that languages systematically differ in the semantics of gradable predicates like tall and old, with some languages adopting a vague, delineation-based semantics and others adopting a relational, degree-based semantics. Beck et al. (2009) capture this point of variation in the so-called Degree Semantics Parameter. Based on elicitation and corpus data, we suggest here that the grammar of Samoan (Austronesian, Oceanic; Independent State of Samoa, American Samoa) has recently undergone a change from one parameter setting to the other, triggered by the addition of a degree-based comparative operator to the functional lexicon of the language. This operator developed through lexical and syntactic re-analysis from a directional particle. In Samoan, the grammar of degree is thus modelled after the grammar of another scalar domain, directed motion in space, a strategy that the typological literature suggests is cross-linguistically common.

贝克等人。 （2009）和许多后续研究（包括 Bochnak 2015；Bowler 2016；Deal 和 Hohaus 2019）认为，语言在可分级谓词（如“高”和“老”）的语义上存在系统性差异，一些语言采用模糊的、基于描述的语义，其他人则采用基于关系的、基于程度的语义。贝克等人。 （2009）在所谓的度语义参数中捕捉到了这一变化点。根据启发和语料库数据，我们在此建议，萨摩亚语（南岛语、大洋语、萨摩亚独立国、美属萨摩亚）的语法最近经历了从一种参数设置到另一种参数设置的变化，这是由添加基于程度的参数触发的语言功能词典的比较运算符。该运算符是通过对定向粒子进行词汇和句法重新分析而开发的。在萨摩亚语中，程度语法是根据另一个标量域的语法建模的，即空间中的定向运动，类型学文献表明这种策略在跨语言上很常见。