Language Change, Variation, and Universals

This volume explores the origins and evolution of human languages, proposing that grammars are constructed to express universal conceptual structure and that languages change over time to reduce constructional complexity. It is divided into three parts, exploring variation in argument structure, grammatical functions, and A-bar constructions, and examining constructional change in Germanic languages. The study concludes with observations and speculations on parameter theory, analogy, the origins of typological patterns, and Greenbergian universals.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 26 August 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

This comprehensive volume delves into the intricate processes that shape human languages, shedding light on their evolution, diversity, and changes over time. Given that language is a universal product of the human mind, the question arises as to why there exist multiple languages instead of a single universal tongue. Moreover, while languages exhibit considerable variation, certain patterns emerge in grammar, prompting questions about why languages share these similarities and why specific patterns are favored. Peter Culicover posits that the key to unraveling these puzzles lies in a constructional approach. Grammars, he argues, are composed of constructions that serve the purpose of expressing universal conceptual structures. While there are various ways to achieve this task, languages are pressured to minimize constructional complexity, leading to constructional change in the direction of reduced complexity. As a result, grammatical patterns emerge that more effectively capture conceptual universals.

The volume is structured into three distinct parts. The first part establishes the theoretical foundations, providing a solid theoretical framework for understanding the nature of human languages. The second part explores variation in argument structure, grammatical functions, and A-bar constructions, drawing on data from a diverse range of languages, including English and Plains Cree. The third part focuses on constructional change, primarily examining Germanic languages. Throughout the study, observations and speculations are made on parameter theory, analogy, the origins of typological patterns, and Greenbergian universals.

In conclusion, this volume offers a profound exploration of the complex mechanisms that drive the development and evolution of human languages. By adopting a constructional perspective, it provides valuable insights into the processes that shape language structure, variation, and change. The study's findings and hypotheses have the potential to deepen our understanding of language and its role in human communication and cognition.

Weight: 632g
Dimension: 240 x 160 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198865391