A language universal

The model language

Isomorphism and allomorphism

Typological approach to language analysis

1. Basic notions of typology:

a) isomorphism and allomorphism

b) the notion of the model language

c) language universals

2. Methods of typological analysis

a) glottochronology

b) typological indexation

c) a descriptive comparative method

Linguistic typology as a separate discipline appeared early in the 70s of the XX century. It studies language types, similarities and differences in their structure. This discipline was developed on the basis of historical comparative linguistics. Now typology deals with all types of languages irrespective of their affinity. If only two languages are compared it is called comparative typology. Comparative typology gives a systemic description of juxtaposition of a foreign language and one's native language. It's especially important for teaching purposes. It helps to foresee and overcome difficulties in this process and to overcome negative influence of one's native language.

The term isomorphism was introduced by a Polish linguist Kurilovich who borrowed it from mathematics. It means similarity, likeness or even identity of structure.

In typology we speak about isomorphism of some language units or even systems if they have likeness in arrangement.

Isomorphism:

English – will/shall read

Russian – БУДУ читать

Allomorphism:

Eng – will/shall read

Rus – прочитаю

This notion was introduced in order to achieve more objective typological description. In order to define iso- and allomorphic features at least two languages must be compared. One of these languages is in the focus of attention, it is under analysis. The second language becomes a kind of instrument in this process. Usually one's native language is used for this purpose. But native languages are different in structure. Such comparison gives no objective results.

For the purpose of comparison the notion of the model language was introduces. It is not a real, existing language. It exists as a scheme which includes a list of average characteristics of all languages known up to now. (see typological indexation) среднеарифметическая всех языков по всем показателям

A language universal is some statement that reflects features of all languages or of most of them. And the aim of universals is to reveal tendencies in language development.

All languages have vowels and consonants but the correlation of them is different in all languages. (all languages use vowels and consonants – absolute universal)

75% of languages use 3 tenses – statistic universal.

Statistic universals characterize not all languages but groups of them, e.g. most European languages have case paradigms of nouns (from 2 up to 8 case forms) but in the same time there are some exceptions – Bulgarian, French, Spanish do not have case.

Besides language universals are divided into

• extralinguistic
• linguistic.

The first type is used not only in linguistics because such universals describe relations outside language system. They can be used in logic or in semiotics. E.g. a minimal utterance is expressed in the sentence (notion utterance – beyond language)

Linguistic universals describe the language structure and correspondingly they are divided according to language levels:

• phonological,
• lexical,
• grammatical level.

They can also be

• synchronic
• diachronic.

Synchronic universals show language at one definite period of its development. Diachronic universals show development of a language. E.g. [k] > [ʧ]

Eng: OE ceosan > ME chesan > NE choose

Latin: centrum > cento (Italian)

Rus: пеку – печешь, крепкий – крепче

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