Analyzing language change through a formalist framework
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Raffaela Baechler
Abstract
This article serves as a case study on using formal morphological models to analyze systematic language change processes in inflectional morphology. By drawing on data from four Germanic varieties at two points in time (Old Swedish, Övdalian, Old High German and Visperterminen Alemannic) and applying the concepts of paradigm linkage theory to them, we are able to exemplarily monitor and model changes concerning case syncretism in nominal inflection in a way that is more differentiated than previous analyses. Thus, while the pure empirical results on Germanic morphology already are revealing by themselves, we also provide both a diachronic extension to formal morphology as well as finer granularity and appropriateness of description to historical linguistics as a whole.
Abstract
This article serves as a case study on using formal morphological models to analyze systematic language change processes in inflectional morphology. By drawing on data from four Germanic varieties at two points in time (Old Swedish, Övdalian, Old High German and Visperterminen Alemannic) and applying the concepts of paradigm linkage theory to them, we are able to exemplarily monitor and model changes concerning case syncretism in nominal inflection in a way that is more differentiated than previous analyses. Thus, while the pure empirical results on Germanic morphology already are revealing by themselves, we also provide both a diachronic extension to formal morphology as well as finer granularity and appropriateness of description to historical linguistics as a whole.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
- Possessive -s in German 27
- Analyzing language change through a formalist framework 63
- Variation and change of plural verbs in Salzburg’s base dialects 95
- Content, form and realizations of Upper German case marking 135
- Thoughts on morphomes, on a Scandinavian background 159
- How to get lost 197
- The interaction of phonological and morphological variation in Zurich German 223
- Negative concord in Alemannic 243
- Variation in non-finiteness and temporality from a canonical perspective 283
- Strong or weak? 311
- Index 343
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
- Possessive -s in German 27
- Analyzing language change through a formalist framework 63
- Variation and change of plural verbs in Salzburg’s base dialects 95
- Content, form and realizations of Upper German case marking 135
- Thoughts on morphomes, on a Scandinavian background 159
- How to get lost 197
- The interaction of phonological and morphological variation in Zurich German 223
- Negative concord in Alemannic 243
- Variation in non-finiteness and temporality from a canonical perspective 283
- Strong or weak? 311
- Index 343
