Language System and its Change: On Theory and Testability

Description

Note Abbreviations 0. Introduction 1. Phonological Variation and Change in Relation to the System 1.1. Organization of the Sound System 1.2. Distinctive Feature Definitions 1.3. Variability in Relation to Asymmetry Within and Between Distinctive Feature Oppositions 1.4. Phonological Speech Errors in Relation to Asymmetry Within and Between Distinctive Feature Oppositions 1.5. Variation and Language Change in Relation to Asymmetry Within and Between Distinctive Feature Oppositions 1.6. Markedness and Ordering at Various Levels 1.7. Prosodic Hierarchy in Phonology 2. Grammatical Variation and Change in Relation to the System 2.1. Case Development Against the Background of the Grammatical Features Involved 2.2. Syncretism in Verb Endings Against the Background of the Grammatical Features Involved 3. Lexical Variation and Change in Relation to the System 3.1. The Kiranti Group of Tibeto-Burman Languages in East Nepal and Contact Phenomena with Indo-Aryan 3.2. Numerals in Kiranti Languages and Their Change 3.3. Numerals in Other Tibeto-Burman Languages 3.4. The Bantawa Rai Numerals Elaborated 4. Language Typology in Relation to the System 5. Conclusions 6. References Indexes