Complexity in linguistic theory, language learning and language change
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Wouter Kusters
Abstract
In this paper I discuss how the notion of complexity can be defined and operationalized to serve as a concept in linguistic research domains like typology, historical linguistics and language contact and acquisition studies. Elaborating on earlier work (Kusters 2003) I argue that a relative notion of complexity is to be preferred over an absolute one. With such a substantial notion, I show that possible objections raised against the concept of complexity are not valid. I work this further out for complexity in verbal inflectional morphology. Finally I demonstrate some intricacies of complexity with examples from variation and change in Quechua varieties.
Abstract
In this paper I discuss how the notion of complexity can be defined and operationalized to serve as a concept in linguistic research domains like typology, historical linguistics and language contact and acquisition studies. Elaborating on earlier work (Kusters 2003) I argue that a relative notion of complexity is to be preferred over an absolute one. With such a substantial notion, I show that possible objections raised against the concept of complexity are not valid. I work this further out for complexity in verbal inflectional morphology. Finally I demonstrate some intricacies of complexity with examples from variation and change in Quechua varieties.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction: The problem of language complexity vii
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I. Typology and theory
- Complexity in linguistic theory, language learning and language change 3
- Grammatical complexity in cross-linguistic perspective 23
- Complexity trade-offs between the subsystems of language 43
- Complexity trade-offs in core argument marking 67
- Assessing linguistic complexity 89
- How complex are isolating languages? 109
- Complexity in isolating languages: Lexical elaboration versus grammatical economy 133
- Grammatical resources and linguistic complexity: Sirionó as a language without NP coordination 153
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II. Contact and change
- Why does a language undress? Strange cases in Indonesia 167
- Morphological complexity as a parameter of linguistic typology: Hungarian as a contact language 191
- Language complexity and interlinguistic difficulty 217
- Complexity in nominal plural allomorphy: A contrastive survey of ten Germanic languages 243
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III. Creoles and pidgins
- The simplicity of creoles in a cross-linguistic perspective 265
- Complexity in numeral systems with an investigation into pidgins and creoles 287
- Explaining Kabuverdianu nominal plural formation 305
- Complexity and simplicity in minimal lexica: The lexicon of Chinook Jargon 321
- Index of languages 341
- Index of authors 345
- Index of subjects 349
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction: The problem of language complexity vii
-
I. Typology and theory
- Complexity in linguistic theory, language learning and language change 3
- Grammatical complexity in cross-linguistic perspective 23
- Complexity trade-offs between the subsystems of language 43
- Complexity trade-offs in core argument marking 67
- Assessing linguistic complexity 89
- How complex are isolating languages? 109
- Complexity in isolating languages: Lexical elaboration versus grammatical economy 133
- Grammatical resources and linguistic complexity: Sirionó as a language without NP coordination 153
-
II. Contact and change
- Why does a language undress? Strange cases in Indonesia 167
- Morphological complexity as a parameter of linguistic typology: Hungarian as a contact language 191
- Language complexity and interlinguistic difficulty 217
- Complexity in nominal plural allomorphy: A contrastive survey of ten Germanic languages 243
-
III. Creoles and pidgins
- The simplicity of creoles in a cross-linguistic perspective 265
- Complexity in numeral systems with an investigation into pidgins and creoles 287
- Explaining Kabuverdianu nominal plural formation 305
- Complexity and simplicity in minimal lexica: The lexicon of Chinook Jargon 321
- Index of languages 341
- Index of authors 345
- Index of subjects 349
