Author： Frajzyngier Zygmunt
Publisher： Brill
ISSN： 1955-2629
Source： Journal of Language Contact, Vol.5, Iss.2, 2012-01, pp. : 319-330
Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.
Abstract
This review article consists of three parts: a presentation of McWhorter's book, an evaluation of the book, and a proposal for a systematic metric for one version of the notions of simplicity and complexity in languages. McWhorter's basic thesis, that creoles have simpler grammars than their lexifier languages and simpler grammars than languages transmitted through acquisition in childhood, must begin with rigorous definitions of the terms `simplicity' and `complexity'. The paper proposes a way to measure simplicity and complexity. Whether the notions of simplicity or complexity have a heuristic value remains an open question.
Related content
Linguistic Simplicity and Complexity: Why do Languages Undress?
Language Dynamics and Change, Vol. 1, Iss. 2, 2011-12 ,pp. :
Access to resources
Recommend
Journal of Pidgin and Creole Languages, Vol. 11, Iss. 1, 1996-01 ,pp. :