Empirical Approaches to Language Typology [EALT]

Research on language universals and research on linguistic typology are not antagonistic, but rather complementary approaches to the same fundamental problem: the relationship between the amazing diversity of languages and the profound unity of language. Only if the true extent of typological divergence is recognized can universal laws be formulated. In recent years it has become more and more evident that a broad range of languages of radically different types must be carefully analysed before general theories are possible. Typological comparison of this kind is now at the centre of linguistic research.

With the series EMPIRICAL APPROACHES TO LANGUAGE TYPOLOGY, Mouton de Gruyter has created a platform for contributions of all kinds to this rapidly developing field.

The distinctive feature of this series is its markedly empirical orientation. All conclusions to be reached are the result of a deepened study of empirical data. General problems are focused on from the perspective of individual languages, language families, language groups, or language samples. Special emphasis is given to the analysis of phenomena from little known languages, which shed new light on long-standing problems in general linguistics.

The series is open to contributions from different theoretical persuasions. It thus reflects the methodological pluralism that characterizes the present situation. Care is taken that all volumes be accessible to every linguist and, moreover, to every reader specializing in some domain related to human language.

A deeper understanding of human language in general, based on a detailed analysis of typological diversity among individual languages, is fundamental for many sciences, not only for linguists. Therefore, this collection will soon prove indispensable in every research library, be it public or private, which has a specialization in language and the language sciences.