Introduction to Typology: The Unity and Diversity of Language

by Lindsay J. Whaley

Overview

An overview of the major grammatical categories and constructions in the world′s languages, Introduction to Typologyprovides a thorough and comprehensive coverage of typology in the areas of morphology and syntax, while underscoring the similarities and differences that underlie the vast array of human languages. Pedagogically sound, this introductory text includes a glossary and highlights and defines each new term as it appears. Each chapter concludes with a summary of new terminology and concepts as well as a list of additional, related readings. Introduction to Typology assumes neither prior knowledge of typology nor extensive background in linguistics, making it useful as a primary or supplementary text for a variety of courses, particularly those dealing with grammatical structure and linguistic universals.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781506317854
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	12/30/1996
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	352
File size:	8 MB

Table of Contents

THE BASICS OF LANGUAGE TYPOLOGY
An Introduction to Typology and Universals
A (Brief) History of Typology
Issues of Method and Explanation
Basic Categories
WORLD ORDER TYPOLOGY
Constituent Order Universals
Determining Basic Constituent Order
MORPHOLOGICAL TYPOLOGY
Morphemes
Morphological Typology
ENCODING RELATIONAL AND SEMANTIC PROPERTIES OF NOMINALS
Case and Agreement Systems
Animacy, Definiteness and Gender
Valence
VERBAL CATEGORIES
Tense and Aspect
Mood and Negation
The Morphosyntax of Speech Acts
COMPLEX CLAUSES
Subordination
Coordination and Cosubordination