LSA.101 | Analogy and Paradigm Uniformity

Andrew Garrett
TR 8:15–9:55
location: 32-124
course web site: http://lsa.dlp.mit.edu/Class/101

What are the properties of paradigm uniformity (leveling) phenomena and why do they arise? What is the relation between the phenomena usually distinguished as leveling and extension in the historical linguistics literature? More generally, what is the relation between uniformity and analogy? In addressing these questions we will survey the (classic and current) literature and we will examine a range of new data, seeking to develop a restrictive typology that will lead to a general conceptual understanding of the causes and nature of paradigm uniformity.

No prerequisites, though a background in historical linguistics or morphological theory may be useful.