Morphological Complexity

Inflectional morphology is paradoxical, as it can be useful but often seen as over-elaboration. It can lead to morphological complexity, where structures operate at cross purposes to meaning and function. This book offers a unified descriptive framework and quantitative measures to characterize diverse morphological complexity in languages.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 07 June 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Inflectional morphology is a fascinating and paradoxical aspect of language. On the one hand, it provides us with valuable information, such as the plural form of a noun or the past tense of a verb. On the other hand, many languages function perfectly well without inflectional morphology, leading to the sometimes gratuitous and ornate forms we encounter. This is particularly evident when morphological structures clash with the broader systems of meaning and function that govern a language, resulting in inflection classes and arbitrarily configured paradigms. This phenomenon is known as morphological complexity.

Manipulating word forms involves learning a completely new system of structures and relationships. This book addresses the typological challenge of characterizing the diverse range of morphological complexity found in the world's languages. It offers a unified descriptive framework and quantitative measures that can be applied to such heterogeneous systems.

Inflectional morphology serves as a window into the intricate workings of language and its relationship to meaning. By exploring the complexities of inflectional systems, we gain a deeper understanding of the diverse linguistic landscapes and the ways in which languages have evolved to communicate and express ideas.

Weight: 314g
Dimension: 151 x 230 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781107543614