Chapter 3. A multi-dimensional approach to classification of Iran’s languages
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Erik Anonby
Abstract
The enterprise of classification is central to the construction of a language atlas, particularly in the Iranian context. While existing two-dimensional models of language classification are useful as a starting point, they are ultimately incapable of handling some of the important complexities found in Iran’s language situation. To address these issues, we propose a multi-dimensional “language relation web”, based on a force-directed multigraph visualization, as an alternative model for expressing connections between language varieties. This architecture allows for differentiation and representation of multiple types of linkages, each of which constitutes a dimension of classification, in a single visualization: shared genealogical inheritance, structural similarity through contact, and association through ethnic identification. The resulting model provides new insights into the classification of Iran’s languages and raises questions and prospects for the broader classification process.
Abstract
The enterprise of classification is central to the construction of a language atlas, particularly in the Iranian context. While existing two-dimensional models of language classification are useful as a starting point, they are ultimately incapable of handling some of the important complexities found in Iran’s language situation. To address these issues, we propose a multi-dimensional “language relation web”, based on a force-directed multigraph visualization, as an alternative model for expressing connections between language varieties. This architecture allows for differentiation and representation of multiple types of linkages, each of which constitutes a dimension of classification, in a single visualization: shared genealogical inheritance, structural similarity through contact, and association through ethnic identification. The resulting model provides new insights into the classification of Iran’s languages and raises questions and prospects for the broader classification process.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Chapter 1. Advances in Iranian linguistics 1
- Chapter 2. Syntactic and semantic constraints on pronoun and anaphor resolution in Persian 15
- Chapter 3. A multi-dimensional approach to classification of Iran’s languages 29
- Chapter 4. The additive particle in Persian 57
- Chapter 5. The pronoun-to-agreement cycle in Iranian 85
- Chapter 6. The suffix that makes Persian nouns unique 107
- Chapter 7. The meaning of the Persian object marker rā 119
- Chapter 8. Topic agreement, experiencer constructions, and the weight of clitics 137
- Chapter 9. Another look at Persian rā 155
- Chapter 10. The Ezafe construction revisited 173
- Chapter 11. Quantitative meter in Persian folk songs and pop lyrics 237
- Chapter 12. Stripping structures with negation in Persian 257
- Chapter 13. Oblique marking and adpositional constructions in Tat 275
- Author index 301
- Languages index 305
- Subject index 307
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Chapter 1. Advances in Iranian linguistics 1
- Chapter 2. Syntactic and semantic constraints on pronoun and anaphor resolution in Persian 15
- Chapter 3. A multi-dimensional approach to classification of Iran’s languages 29
- Chapter 4. The additive particle in Persian 57
- Chapter 5. The pronoun-to-agreement cycle in Iranian 85
- Chapter 6. The suffix that makes Persian nouns unique 107
- Chapter 7. The meaning of the Persian object marker rā 119
- Chapter 8. Topic agreement, experiencer constructions, and the weight of clitics 137
- Chapter 9. Another look at Persian rā 155
- Chapter 10. The Ezafe construction revisited 173
- Chapter 11. Quantitative meter in Persian folk songs and pop lyrics 237
- Chapter 12. Stripping structures with negation in Persian 257
- Chapter 13. Oblique marking and adpositional constructions in Tat 275
- Author index 301
- Languages index 305
- Subject index 307
