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Universal 969:

Posted in Universals Archive

Universal 969:

Original
If there are analogical changes in their inflectional paradigms, then the number of synonymous morphemes (stems and affixes) is more likely to diminish than to increase.
Standardized
When there are analogical changes in their inflectional paradigms, the number of synonymous morphemes (stems and affixes) is more likely to diminish than to increase.
Keywords
stem, affix, allomorphy, inflection class, synonymy, analogical change
Domain
morphology
Type
unconditional
Status
diachronic
Quality
statistical
Basis
Indo-European languages
Source
Maøczak 1958: 301, Maøczak 1963: 24, Maøczak 1966: 99, Maøczak 1978: 54, Maøczak 1980: 284
Counterexamples

One Comment

  1. FP
    FP

    Although the investigation is based only on Indo-European languages, the author assumes his generalisation to be valid for all languages (Maøczak 1963: 19; 1978: 57). Maøczak regards his investigation as different from Kury:owicz’s (especially Kury:owicz 1949; see Maøczak 1978). The universals of Kury:owicz and Maøczak are quite distinct from each other (see Best 1973: 61-107 and Anttila 1977: 76-80).

    1. May 2020

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