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Doing diachrony

Abstract

Working on syntax through time requires good synchronic analyses of the initial and later I-languages. However, seeking to explain a change enables historical linguists sometimes to link the new I-language with particular features of the external language to which the innovating children were exposed. This enriches understanding of some of the idealizations of synchronic syntax, particularly the relationship between particular Primary Linguistic Data and the grammars triggered.

Abstract

Working on syntax through time requires good synchronic analyses of the initial and later I-languages. However, seeking to explain a change enables historical linguists sometimes to link the new I-language with particular features of the external language to which the innovating children were exposed. This enriches understanding of some of the idealizations of synchronic syntax, particularly the relationship between particular Primary Linguistic Data and the grammars triggered.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Introduction 1
  4. Scandinavian
  5. On the syntax of the accusative/dative alternation in spatial PPs in Norwegian dative dialects 9
  6. Spurious topic drop in Swedish 27
  7. Germanic sociolinguistics
  8. “The voice from below” 53
  9. Gender maintenance and loss in Totenmålet, English, and other major Germanic varieties 77
  10. French
  11. Non-finite adjuncts in French 111
  12. Topics and the left periphery 131
  13. Language change
  14. The developmental logic of the analytic past in German and Polish 175
  15. The diachrony of pronouns and demonstratives 195
  16. Lesser-studied languages
  17. Origins of metathesis in Batsbi 221
  18. Indefinitely definite expressions 239
  19. Language acquisition
  20. Doing diachrony 259
  21. The acquisition of linguistic variation 275
  22. Language evolution
  23. The evolution of language 301
  24. Language as technology 327
  25. Index 359
In Search of Universal Grammar
This chapter is in the book In Search of Universal Grammar
https://doi.org/10.1075/la.202.18lig

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Introduction 1
  4. Scandinavian
  5. On the syntax of the accusative/dative alternation in spatial PPs in Norwegian dative dialects 9
  6. Spurious topic drop in Swedish 27
  7. Germanic sociolinguistics
  8. “The voice from below” 53
  9. Gender maintenance and loss in Totenmålet, English, and other major Germanic varieties 77
  10. French
  11. Non-finite adjuncts in French 111
  12. Topics and the left periphery 131
  13. Language change
  14. The developmental logic of the analytic past in German and Polish 175
  15. The diachrony of pronouns and demonstratives 195
  16. Lesser-studied languages
  17. Origins of metathesis in Batsbi 221
  18. Indefinitely definite expressions 239
  19. Language acquisition
  20. Doing diachrony 259
  21. The acquisition of linguistic variation 275
  22. Language evolution
  23. The evolution of language 301
  24. Language as technology 327
  25. Index 359
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