AXIS 2 – Typological and historical linguistics

Each language represents only a tiny part of the current range of languages, not to mention the possible languages. The comparison of languages, which allows us to better identify this range, reveals major asymmetries. Some of these can be explained by structure, others by history. Linguistic typology thus seeks to identify and explain the distribution of structural features, from an essentially synchronic perspective. Historical linguistics studies the diachronic change of languages and the relationships of common origin or contact between languages in order to reconstruct their history. Adopting a pan-chronic perspective makes it possible to identify recurrent paths of change and thus to reconcile these two perspectives. Many LACITO members work on typology and historical linguistics, which suggest questions for elicitation and help interpret new field data. Our seminar Terrains, analyse et comparaison des langues (TACOL) provides an opportunity to present and discuss problems in this field.

 

Past operations and seminars : 

        • Panchronic Phonology (until the End of 2011)
        • Indefinites (2014-2016)
        • Description and Typology | Problèmes d’analyse et de comparaison des langues (2012-2017) (some parts in French)
        • Terrains, analyse et comparaison des langues (TACOL) (since October 2017, composed of workshops, fusion of “Terrains”& “PACOL” seminars) (some parts in French)
        • Lexical structure: Typology and dynamics (since November 2017, composed of workshops)
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