The book addresses some raging questions in linguistics today: What kind of variation do typologically related languages display? Do we expect to find the same variation in genealogically unrelated languages spoken in the same area? What makes dialects different? The current book answers these questions using data from languages spoken in the Indian subcontinent―an area known for its linguistic richness and diversity. Each chapter in the book presents a wealth of data collected through extensive fieldwork or controlled experimental setups. The chapters examine macro-variation in relative clauses, word order and negation found among Austro-Asiatic, Dravidian, Indo-Aryan and Tibeto-Burman languages. It also investigates meso-level variation among related Eastern Indo-Aryan languages and intra-language and dialectal changes. It encourages scholars to probe deep into the mechanisms that underlie the immense intra- and inter-language variation in the area. It serves as a resource book for postgraduate and research scholars of linguistic typology, theoretical syntax, sociolinguistics, historical linguistics and for scholars interested in South Asian languages.
Edition: 1
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 331
Preface
Contents
Editor and Contributors
Chapter 1 Introducing Language Variation
Objectives
Language Variation—What Is It?
Views on Language Variation
The Generative View
The Sociolinguistic View
The Experimental Approach
The Semantics Question
Possible Integration Among Methodologies?
The Selected South Asian Landscape
Contributions
References
Chapter 2 A Panorama of South Asian Relatives: A Case of Structural Convergence, Divergence, Innovation and Syntactic Change
Abstract
Abbreviations
Introduction
Tibeto-Burman—Noun Modification Strategies
More on the Dubitative Marker in Dravidian and Tibeto-Burman
Full-Fledged Relative Clauses in Dravidian and Indo-Aryan-Contrasted
The Role of Contact in Participial Relatives
Conclusion
Appendix
References
Chapter 3 Negation in Select South Asian Languages
Abstract
Introduction
Distribution of Negation
Distribution of Sentential Negation
Sentential Negation in the Context of Light Verbs
Distribution of Constituent Negation
Syntactic Distribution of Negation in Clause Structure
Sentential Negation
Constituent Negation
Some Syntactic Operations of Negation
Quantifier Scope
Negative Polarity Items in South Asian Languages
Classifier NPIs
Quantifier NPIs
Wh-NPIs
Idiomatic Expression NPIs
Long-Distance Licensing of NPIs
NPI in Non-negative Contexts
Modal Verbs
Conditionals
Yes/No Questions
Habitual/Generic
Imperative
C-Commanding Strategy of NPIs
Quantificational Restriction of NPIs: An Alternative-Based Structure
Conclusion
References
Chapter 4 Investigating Limits to Processing Variability in SOV Languages
Abstract
Introduction
Processing Variation in SOV Languages
Role of Working Memory Constraints on Prediction
Experiment 1
Material and Methods
Participants
Items
Procedure
Response Coding
Predictions
Results
Results
Discussion
Experiment 2
Material and Methods
Participants
Items
Procedure
Response Coding
Predictions
Results
Discussion
General Discussion
Conclusion
References
Chapter 5 A Correlative Typology Mixing Syntactic and Semantic Parameters
Abstract
A Case for Semantic Parameters
Semantics of the Dravidian Disjunctive Particle-oo
XP-oo
Sentence Final Particle -OO
Why Does KA Take on Multiple Roles?
Why Is There an -Oo in the Dravidian Correlative?
A Question Semantics for the Dravidian Correlative
A Correlative Typology with a Semantic Parameter
Conclusions
References
Chapter 6 A Comparative Study of the Lexicalization of the Bangla Polar Question Particle ki and the Assamese Polar Question Particle ne
Abstract
Introduction
Polar Questions in Bangla and Assamese
The Semantics of Polar Questions with and Without Polar Question Particles in Bangla and Assamese
Occurrence of the Bangla Polar Question Particle ‘ki’ and the Assamese Polar Question Particle ‘ne’ in Alternative Questions
Disjunction in Polar and Alternative Questions in Bangla and Assamese
Occurrence of the Bangla Polar Question Particle ‘ki’ and the Assamese Polar Question Particle ‘ne’ in Embedded Polar Questions
Our Analysis of Assamese ne and Bangla ki
Lexicalization of Assamese Polar Question Particle ‘ne’
Lexicalization of the Bangla Polar Question Particle ‘ki’
Other Interrogative Disjunction Particles in Bangla
Occurrence of the Polar Question Particle Naki in Polar Embedded Questions
Assamese Polar Question Particle neki
Conclusion
References
Chapter 7 Comparing Honorificity Agreement in Maithili and Bangla
Abstract
Introduction
Honorificity: A Syntactic Feature
Agree Restriction on Honorificity
Honorificity in the DP
Honorificity Licensing
Honorificity in the cP Layer
Extending c−binding to Non−Addressees
Honorification Variation Between Maithili and Bangla
Maithili Subject/Object Honorification
Bangla Honorification
Honorificity Parameter
Subject Honorification
Simultaneous Subject and Object Honorification
Addressee Honorification
Tying Honorification Differences as a Parameter
Conclusion
References
Chapter 8 Towards an Understanding of Micro-variations: Decoding the Hierarchical Module of Variation and the Correlates of Mappila Malayalam
Abstract
Abbreviations
Introduction
Language Variations in the Contemporary Society and Studying Language Variations
Variants as Indicators, Markers and Stereotypes
Hierarchy and Variations in Waves
Malabar, Mappilas and Mappila Malayalam
Research Design
Mappila Malayalam Variations
Two Waves of Variations in Mappila Malayalam
First Wave Variation of Mappila Malayalam
Phonological Variations
Morphosyntactic Variations
Second Wave Variation of Mappila Malayalam
Analysis
Towards an Understanding of the Hierarchy and Levels of Variations
Conclusion
References
Chapter 9 Variation and Change in Dialects of Marathi: A Social-Dialectological Approach
Abstract
Introduction
Social Dialectology/Sociolinguistics
Regional Variation in Marathi
The Data
Data Collection Methods
The Linguistic Feature: Ergativity
The Ergative Construction in Marathi
Synchronic and Diachronic Variation in the Regional Vernaculars of Marathi
Preservation of Old-Marathi-Like Ergativity
Standard-Marathi-Like Ergativity
Local Innovations in the Transitive-Perfective Clause
Variable Loss of Ergativity
Intra-Dialectal Variation in the Transitive-Perfective Clause
Intra-Speaker Variability
Sources and Pathways of Asymmetry in the Ergative Construction in Dialectal Marathi: Motivations for Change
Social Correlates of Dialect Change in Marathi
Interim Conclusions and Some Suggestions for Future Research
References
Chapter 10 Parametrizing Ergativity: Insights from Western Indo-Aryan Languages
Abstract
Introduction
About Ergativity
Ergative Patterns in Western Indo-Aryan Languages
Why ‘Split’ Ergativity: Different Analysis
Parameters for Ergativity
Transitivity
vP-Activeness
Conclusion
References
Chapter 11 Cross-Linguistic Variations in the Processing of Ergative Case: Evidence from Punjabi
Abstract
Introduction
The Electrophysiology of Case
The Present Study
Method and Material
Ethical Statement
Participants
Material
Procedure
Data Acquisition and Preprocessing
Data Analysis
Results
Behavioural Results
Summary of Behavioural Results
Electrophysiological Results
Summary of Electrophysiological Results
Discussion
Conclusion and Future Directions
References
Chapter 12 On Gender Micro-Variation
Abstract
Introduction
Introducing Gender
Awadhi Gender
A Historical Support for the N
The N-Adj-Gender Correlation
Analysing the Category-Feature Overlap
Bhojpuri Gender-Person Interaction
Macro-Level Variation: Kannada Gender
Conclusion
References
