Introduction to typology: The unity and diversity of language By Lindsay J. Whaley (review)

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

BOOK NOTICES 411 We view this collection of articles not only as a fruitful example of a collaborative research task but also as a valuable contribution to the study of Danish prosody. It should be profitable reading for students and scholars alike and will prove a useful reference book in the study of general prosody. [Pilar Prieto i Vives, Universität de Vic, Spain.] Introduction to typology: The unity and diversity of language. By Lindsay J. Whaley. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications , 1997. Pp. xxvi, 280. Paper $22.95. A broad descriptive overview of the goals, history, and methods of typological analysis as well as a comparison , classification, and explanation of shared properties of the world's languages constitutes the basis of this introductory account. Designed to complement existing introductory books on typology, Introduc tion to typology incorporates developments in the field in the past decade in addition to covering topics such as tense, aspect, subordination, and coordination . Areas of traditional interest to typology (constituent order, morphological types, hierarchies, and animacy I are also addressed Careful attention to organization, definitions, and clarity of presentation promises to make this book a popular reference for students, teachers, and scholars. The book has six parts subdivided into sixteen chapters. The volume also contains a glossary (281-92), references (293-304), an index (305-21), and an introduction, 'The world's languages in overview ' (xvii-xxiii). A map of the languages cited in the book rather than a list would seem more appropriate for an introductory text Part I, 'Basics of language typology', includes four chapters. Ch. 1, 'Introduction to typology and universals ' (3-17), defines language universals and typology Ch. 2, ? (brief) history of typology' (18-29), highlights the major contributions of early typologists (Humboldt, Greenberg, etc ). An engaging discussion of their discoveries, subsequent controversies , and verification of early insights makes for compelling reading. Ch. 3, 'Issues of method and explanation' (30-53), addresses major typological methods and explanations with concomitant controversies . Ch. 4, 'Basic categories' (54-75), considers the approaches and complications of defining lexical classes, semantic roles, and grammatical relations cross-linguistically. Part II, 'Word order typology', includes two chapters . Ch. 5, 'Constituent order universals' (79-95), introduces constituent order and potential correlations with the ordering of syntactic categories. One explanation for these correlations (branching direction theory) demands a more extensive understanding of current syntactic theory than an introductory linguistics course provides. Ch. 6, 'Determining basic constituent order' (96-107), looks at frequency and markedness as tests for determining the basic word order of a language Part III, 'Morphological typology', consists oftwo chapters Ch 7, 'Morphemes' (111-26), a descriptive classification of morphemes, is the basis for the subsequent discussion of the morphological classification of languages in Ch. 8, 'Morphological typology ' (127-48). Relatively recent work on head and dependent marking is included. The remaining three parts compare and classify selected grammatical constructions rather than languages . The chapters are generally descriptive with relatively less explanation given for these constructions . Part IV, 'Encoding relational and semantic properties of nommais' . consists of Ch. 9. 'Case and agreement systems' (151-69), Ch. 10, 'Animacy, defimteness, and gender' (170-81 ); and Ch. 11, 'Valence ' (183-200). Part V, 'Verbal categories', consists of Ch 12, 'Tense and aspect' (203-18); Ch 13. 'Mood and negation' (219-32); and Ch. 14 'Morphosyntax of speech acts' (233-44) Part VI, 'Complex clauses', consists of Ch 14, 'Subordination' (247-66), and Ch. 15, 'Coordination and cosubordination ' (267-80). [Mayrene Bentley. Michigan State University.] Knowledge and skills in translator behaviour. By Wolfram Wilss. (Benjamins translation library, 15.) Amsterdam & Philadelphia: John Benjamins, 1996. Pp. xiii, 259. Is translation science or art? This false dichotomy is often contemplated but seldom engaged with the same balance and insight as by Wilss. For W. translation studies (TS), combining theory, methodology, and practice (ix). needs to embrace the underlying principle that m translator performance, 'knowledge' and "skills' are inseparable At some point, all translators will ask themselves the question: 'What is actually happening in my mind when I translate?' Grappling with this apparent imponderable , W aims to give his readers 'insight into what translators really do and to explain the concepts and tools of the trade...