The geographical distribution of typologically diverse comparative constructions of superiority in Purepecha
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Claudine Chamoreau
Abstract
This paper explores the relations between three domains dealing with linguistic variation: dialectology, typology, and contact linguistics. It aims to contribute to dialectal research that also considers syntactic questions, exploring the syntactic domain of comparative constructions of superiority in Purepecha (a language isolate spoken in Mexico). I demonstrate that the expression of the comparison of superiority can be mapped onto the language by means of ten constructions, which may be divided into four types, showing that language contact can lead to the emergence of new types. This study points out that the consequences of language contact are not homogeneous, but fall into various types of construction aligned with local specificities and geographical distribution. I argue that the integration of dialectology, typology, and contact linguistics results in a dynamic and multidimensional organization, which I characterize as a multi-layered perspective.
© 2012 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co.
Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead
- Folk accounts of dialect differences in Tyne and Wear
- Expressing local identity through radio discourse
- The geographical distribution of typologically diverse comparative constructions of superiority in Purepecha
- Origin and diversity of the words denoting some traditional Eurasian pulse crops in Mongolic and Tungusic
- Automatic detection of radial structures in dialect maps: determining diffusion centers
- Mapping The Existing Phonology of English Dialects
- La dialectologie perceptuelle: problèmes et perspectives
- Reviews / Comptes rendus / Besprechungen
Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead
- Folk accounts of dialect differences in Tyne and Wear
- Expressing local identity through radio discourse
- The geographical distribution of typologically diverse comparative constructions of superiority in Purepecha
- Origin and diversity of the words denoting some traditional Eurasian pulse crops in Mongolic and Tungusic
- Automatic detection of radial structures in dialect maps: determining diffusion centers
- Mapping The Existing Phonology of English Dialects
- La dialectologie perceptuelle: problèmes et perspectives
- Reviews / Comptes rendus / Besprechungen
