Presented by Stanynets M., Lisnichuk D.

Th e co n c e p t o f
l a n g u a g e t y p o l o g y

See what we're up to

 Introduction
Learning a new language can go a long way in teaching someone
about how their own language functions. Think of the many ways to
compare and contrast two languages—now think of comparing all
the languages of the world.
 Typology is the study of the structure of the
world’s languages for the purpose of
classification, comparison, and analysis.

Typology Definition

Typology is a field in linguistics that examines

the structure of language.
The unit of comparison will vary in typology. A typologist
might study a single component of the languages under
discussion, or they might study the tendencies of the
languages as wholes. A single component of languages
could be anything from verb tense or the pronoun
system, and typology will seek to reveal the degree of
variation among given languages.
 The goal of typology is to note and
understand the variation, and the degree 3 criteria
of variation, in languages.

TYPOLOGY AREAL
GENEALOGY
Uses the basis of
grammatical
Uses historical structure to classify Uses geographical
languages according
connections as grounds to observable criteria to draw
to classify languages into patterns. connections between
language families. languages spoken in
proximity to one another.
 Universals and
Language Typology

In languages whose structure follows a verb/ object

pattern (VO), nominal modifiers such as adjectival
expressions follow the noun.

Paul ate (verb) sushi (object) for lunch.

 Types of Language
3 types
Typology

QUANTITATIVE
QUALITATIVE
studies the distribution
deals with the of structural patterns.
This typically involves
comparison and contrast
statistical observation of
of languages. It explores
cross-linguistic patterns the linguistic phenomenon
and variances with a in question; in other
focus on structural words, drawing
formation. conclusions from
statistical data.
THEORETICAL
explains any variances in
qualitative and
quantitative
characteristics. It may
also examine things like
language users' intentions
and linguistic phenomena
not seen in all languages.
 Thank You
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