When Minoritized Languages Change Linguistic Theory

Andrew Nevins

ISBN 10: 1009014897 / ISBN 13: 9781009014892

Published by Cambridge University Press, GB, 2025

About this Item

For decades, a small set of major world languages have formed the basis of the vast majority of linguistic theory. However, minoritized languages can also provide fascinating contributions to our understanding of the human language faculty. This pioneering book explores the transformative effect minoritized languages have on mainstream linguistic theory, which, with their typically unusual syntactic, morphological and phonological properties, challenge and question frameworks that were developed largely to account for more widely-studied languages. The chapters address the four main pillars of linguistic theory - syntax, semantics, phonology, and morphology - and provide plenty of case studies to show how minoritized language can disrupt assumptions, and lead to modifications of the theory itself. It is illustrated with examples from a range of languages, and is written in an engaging and accessible style, making it essential reading for both students and researchers of theoretical syntax, phonology and morphology, and language policy and politics.

Seller Inventory # LU-9781009014892

Bibliographic Details

• Title: When Minoritized Languages Change Linguistic Theory
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press, GB
• Publication Date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1009014897
• ISBN 13: 9781009014892
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Dimensions: 15.24W x 1.22H x 22.86D centimeters 15.24 centimeters width by 1.22 centimeters height by 22.86 centimeters depth
• Weight: 314 grams

About this title

Synopsis

For decades, a small set of major world languages have formed the basis of the vast majority of linguistic theory. However, minoritized languages can also provide fascinating contributions to our understanding of the human language faculty. This pioneering book explores the transformative effect minoritized languages have on mainstream linguistic theory, which, with their typically unusual syntactic, morphological and phonological properties, challenge and question frameworks that were developed largely to account for more widely-studied languages. The chapters address the four main pillars of linguistic theory – syntax, semantics, phonology, and morphology – and provide plenty of case studies to show how minoritized language can disrupt assumptions, and lead to modifications of the theory itself. It is illustrated with examples from a range of languages, and is written in an engaging and accessible style, making it essential reading for both students and researchers of theoretical syntax, phonology and morphology, and language policy and politics.

About the Author

Andrew Nevins is Professor of Language Sciences at University College London. He is the author of Locality in Vowel Harmony (2010, MIT Press) and co-author of Morphotactics: The Structure of Spellout and Basque Auxiliaries (2012, Springer).