The Athapaskan verb is often regarded by linguists as an object of some wonder, and I have frequently been asked how anyone could ever acquire an Athapaskan language, given the extreme complexities of the verb system. In this book, I have tried to come to an understanding of some of the mysteries of the verb, arguing that scope is an important factor in regulating morpheme order in the verb. I hope the reader has enjoyed this journey through the verb, received some satisfactory answers, and, most important, been stimulated and engaged.

In this final chapter, I turn away from ordering and briefly examine several issues that arise from the claims that I have made related to the lexicon and word formation. These include the nature of the lexical entry, models of word formation, the distinction between inflection and derivation, and the nature of morphological change. I do not provide answers to any questions, but intend instead to demonstrate more of the fascination of the Athapaskan verb and the important issues that it raises for the study of morphology.

On the Nature of the Lexical Entry

In this section, I examine the nature of the lexical entry. What is listed in the lexical entry of a typical verb in an Athapaskan language? I pose this question from a theoretical rather than a lexicographic perspective.