Language Change Seminar

Presented by Assoc Prof Claire Bowern, Yale University

"I present recent work surveying the use of phylogenetic trait analysis to reconstruct closed class vocabulary systems, and compare the results to those achieved with the comparative method. Small, semi-closed vocabulary sets which occur in systems of limited variation--such as kinship terms--are an ideal place to study semantic change, lexical replacement, and system stability. Here I use Bayesian trait analysis to reconstruct sibling systems in Pama-Nyungan languages. These trait reconstructions show overall stability in the systems used to refer to siblings, with four term (eB, yB, eZ, yZ) and three term (eB, eZ, yB=yZ) predominating in major subgroup reconstructions. Reconstruction of systems based on comparative method analysis of the terminology is also congruent in almost all cases with the Bayesian reconstructions. However, the terminology used within low-level Pama-Nyungan subgroups varies extensively. While loan levels are low, semantic shift (both from other kinship terms and other lexical domains) is frequent. This work sheds light on how semantic shift proceeds and how lexical oppositions may persist even as the material used to mark them is renewed."

This seminar will be followed by a restraurant dinner at 6pm with the speaker.