Linguistic Diversity And Language Theories (Studies in Language Companion Series)

Annotation From the refinement of general methodology, to new insights of synchronic and diachronic universals, to studies of specific phenomena, this collection demonstrates the crucial role that language data play in the evolution of useful, accurate linguistic theories. Issues addressed include the determination of meaning in typological studies; a refined understanding of diachronic processes by including intentional, social, statistical, and level-determined phenomena; the reconsideration of categories such as sentence, evidential or adposition, and structures such as compounds or polysynthesis; the tension between formal simplicity and functional clarity; the inclusion of unusual systems in theoretical debates; and fresh approaches to Chinese classifiers, possession in Oceanic languages, and English aspect. This is a careful selection of papers presented at the International Symposium on Linguistic Diversity and Language Theories in Boulder, Colorado. The purpose of the Symposium was to confront fundamental issues in language structure and change with the rich variation of forms and functions observed across languages This Is A Selection Of Papers Presented At The International Symposium On Linguistic Diversity And Language Theories In Boulder, Colorado. The Purpose Of The Symposium Was To Confront Fundamental Issues In Language Structure And Change With The Rich Variation Of Forms And Functions Observed Across Languages.--jacket. Introduction / Zygmunt Frajzyngier And David S. Rood -- 1. What Are We Typologists Doing? / Gilbert Lazard -- 2. The Canonical Approach In Typology / Greville G. Corbett -- 3. What Is An Empirical Theory Of Linguistic Meaning A Theory Of? / Pierre-yves Raccah -- 4. Language Processes, Theory And Description Of Language Change, And Building On The Past / Robert Nicolai -- 5. On The Part Played By Human Conscious Choice In Language Structure And Language Evolution / Claude Hagege -- 6. The Challenge Of Polygrammaticalization For Linguistic Theory / Stephane Robert -- 7. On Discourse Frequency, Grammar, And Grammaticalization / Regina Pustet. Edited By Zygmunt Frajzyngier, Adam Hodges, David S. Rood. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.