On the Explanation of Typologically Unusual Structures
Publication Date
2008
Journal or Book Title
Linguistic Universals and Language Change
Abstract
This chapter argues that languages are ‘bundles of historical accidents’. It further argues that unusual or rare features are unusual or rare because they are the accidental result of many different circumstances or conditions that have been lined up in just the right way. The chapter is organized as follows. Section 3.2 discusses the structure of the argument and compares the explanation with other general approaches. Sections 3.3 and 3.4 describe a very rare structure in Georgian and in Udi, respectively, and show that each may be explained by the approach adopted here. Section 3.5 discusses the Uniformitarian Principle in this context, and Section 3.6 presents some conclusions.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199298495.003.0003
Pages
54-76
Recommended Citation
Harris, Alice Carmichael, "On the Explanation of Typologically Unusual Structures" (2008). Linguistic Universals and Language Change. 123.
https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199298495.003.0003
