Open AccessTypology and nuance: relativization
Author(s) -
Marianne Mithun
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
abralin
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0102-7158
DOI - 10.25189/rabralin.v19i3.1762
Subject(s) - typology , linguistics , categorization , grammar , prosody , categorical variable , context (archaeology) , linguistic typology , set (abstract data type) , indigenous , psychology , computer science , sociology , history , ecology , philosophy , archaeology , machine learning , biology , anthropology , programming language
Much of linguistic typology is inherently categorical. In large-scale typological surveys, grammatical constructions, distinctions, and even variables are typically classified as present, absent, or embodying one of a set of specified options. This work is valuable for a multitude of purposes, and in many cases such categorization is sufficient. In others, we can advance our understanding further if we take a more nuanced approach, considering the extent to which a particular construction, distinction, or variable is installed in the grammar. An important tool for this approach is the examination of unscripted speech in context, complete with prosody. This point is illustrated here with Mohawk, an Iroquoian language indigenous to the North American Northeast. As will be seen, the two types of construction which might be identified as relative clauses are emergent, one less integrated into the grammar than the other. Examination of spontaneous speech indicates that the earliest stages of development are prosodic, as speakers shape their messages according to their communicative purposes at each moment.