The Universal Structure of Categories

Using data from a variety of languages such as Blackfoot, Halkomelem, and Upper Austrian German, this book explores a range of grammatical categories and constructions, including tense, aspect, subjunctive, case and demonstratives. It presents a new theory of grammatical categories - the Universal Spine Hypothesis - and reinforces generative notions of Universal Grammar while accommodating insights from linguistic typology. In essence, this new theory shows that language-specific categories are built from a small set of universal categories and language-specific units of language. Throughout the book the Universal Spine Hypothesis is compared to two alternative theories - the Universal Base Hypothesis and the No Base Hypothesis. This valuable addition to the field will be welcomed by graduate students and researchers in linguistics.

Product details

• Authors: Martina Wiltschko, Martina (University of British Columbia Wiltschko, Wiltschko Martina
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.03.2024
• EAN: 9781009342452
• ISBN: 978-1-0-0934245-2
• No. of pages: 376
• Dimensions: 152 mm x 227 mm x 20 mm
• Series: Cambridge Studies in Linguistics; Print on demand titles
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology; Philosophy of Language, LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / General, PHILOSOPHY / Language, Grammar, syntax & morphology, Grammar, syntax and morphology