FLL research: Typology

Description

Cross-linguistic work within the FLL group is based on a combination of broad surveys of a representative sample of languages, and in-depth studies of specific languages and language groups, especially Germanic languages and Australian languages. Topics studied include mood and modality, clause combining, information structure and case marking. From a theoretical perspective, there is a special interest in the role of pragmatic principles in the explanation of cross-linguistically frequent patterns, and in the relation between diachronic processes and typological diversity.

Representative publications

Verstraete, Jean-Christophe (2005) The semantics and pragmatics of composite mood marking: The non-Pama-Nyungan languages of northern Australia. Linguistic Typology 9: 223-268.

Verstraete, Jean-Christophe (2006) The nature of irreality in the past domain: Evidence from past intentional constructions in Australian languages. Australian Journal of Linguistics 26: 59-79.