Typology Flashcards
Typological Classifications
Compare and group languages according to similarities in their structures
Absolute Universals
All languages have these characteristics
ie. all languages have vowels/verbs
Universal Tendencies
Most languages have these characteristics
ie. most languages have /m/
Implicational Tendencies
If a language has property A then it has property B; not necessarily reversible
ie. if a language has affricates then it also has stops and fricatives
Typological Generalizations: Phonology (sounds)
- Consonant & vowel inventories
- Prosodic Type
- Syllable Type
Typological Generalizations: Morphology (words)
- Morphological Types
- Case Marking
- Gender marking
Typological Classifications: Syntax
- Word order
- Subject vs Topic Marking
- Differential Object Marking
Phonological Systems: Vowels
Tendency towards symmetry; counter tendency -> dissymmetry
Phonological Systems: Consonants
Weaker tendency towards symmetry; all languages have stops; most langs have at least 1 nasal
Suprasegmental (prosodic) Types
- Stress
- Tonal
- Pitch-Accent
Ethnologue
Languages of the world
Attested Patterns
- CV - onset obligatory (Japanese)
- CV(C) - onset; coda accepted (Hebrew)
- (C)V - onset not needed; coda not accepted (Maori)
- (C)V(C) - both onset and coda optional (English)
Closed syllables
Have coda
Open syllables
Do not have coda
Syllable universals
All languages have CV syllables
Some languages don’t allow clusters
