Linguistic Universals and Language Variation (Trends in Linguistics. Studies and Monographs [TiLSM] Book 231)

The volume explores the relationship between linguistic universals and language variation. Its contributions identify the recurrent patterns and principles behind the complex spectrum of observable variation. The volume bridges the gap between cross-linguistic variation, regional variation, diachronic variation, contact-induced variation as well as socially conditioned variation. Moreover, it addresses fundamental methodological and theoretical issues of variation research. The volume brings together internationally renowned specialists of their fields while, at the same time, offering a platform for gifted and highly talented young researchers. The authors come from different theoretical backgrounds and through their work illustrate a rich array of scientific methods. All authors share a strong belief in empirically founded theoretical work. The contributions span a high number of languages and dialects from many parts of the world. They are extremely broad in their empirical coverage addressing an impressive selection of grammatical domains. Table of contents 5 List of contributors 7 Universals and variation: an introduction 9 Part 1 Varieties and cross-linguistic variation 29 Causal clauses: a cross-linguistic investigation of their structure, meaning, and use 31 Two euroversals in a global perspective: auxiliation and alignment 63 The diachronic development of article-possessor complementarity in the history of Italian and Portuguese 100 Variation as a window on universals 136 Part 2 Contact-induced variation 177 Gender and contact – a Natural Morphology perspective on Scandinavian examples 179 Universals of structural borrowing 212 Part 3 Methodological issues of variation research 243 Variation and reproducibility in linguistics 245 Parameters of morphosyntactic variation in World Englishes: prospects and limitations of searching for universals 272 Comparing varieties of English: problems and perspectives 299 Part 4 Variation and linguistic theory 333 Norwegian main clause declaratives: variation within and across grammars 335 Syntactic variation and change in Romance: a Minimalist approach 369 A localistic approach to universals and variation 412 Lexicon, phonology and phonetics. Or: rule-based and usage-based approaches to phonological variation 433 Index 475 The volume explores the relationship between linguistic universals and language variation. The contributions identify the recurrent patterns and principles behind the complex spectrum of observable variation. As a whole, the volume bridges the gap between cross-linguistic variation, regional variation, diachronic variation, contact-induced variation as well as socially conditioned variation. Fundamental methodological and theoretical issues of variation research are addressed. Review text: "The volume highlights ongoing research and its importance in drawing/exploring the relationship between linguistic universals and language variation, a timely topic with wide implications. ... The book holds much promise in the shaping of future research methodologies and research goals."Anish Koshy in: Linguist List 23.1776 Explores the relationship between linguistic universals and language variation. This title intends to bridge the gap between cross-linguistic variation, regional variation, diachronic variation, contact-induced variation as well as socially conditioned variation.