Statistical Typology

Lecturer: Gerhard Jäger

Location: 35TH EUROPEAN SUMMER SCHOOL IN LOGIC, LANGUAGE AND INFORMATION

Time: 2nd week, August 5-16, 2024, 11:00-12:30

Description

In the field of linguistic typology, the variation in grammatical properties across natural languages is not random but is influenced by a mix of linguistic universals, genetic relationships, and language contact. This course, building on the foundational work of Joseph Greenberg and subsequent developments, aims to explore these complex interrelations. Recent years have seen significant advancements due to more sophisticated statistical tools and the expansion of cross-linguistic databases.

The course is designed for students of linguistics and neighboring disciplines, focusing on two key areas: phylogenetic methods and spatial statistics. Through these lenses, we will examine how linguistic features are inherited, and how they spread under language contact. The curriculum will include practical applications of these methods, enabling participants to analyze typological databases effectively.

By the end of this course, attendees will have a clearer understanding of how universal tendencies, common descent, and language contact shape the grammar of natural languages. They will also gain hands-on experience with modern statistical tools and techniques essential for linguistic research.

Data and code

https://gitlab.com/gerhardJaeger/esslli2024_statistical_typology

Schedule

  • Day 1: Introduction (Slides)
  • Day 2: Mixed-effects models (Slides)
  • Day 3: Mixed-effects models (cont.) (Slides); phylogenetic inference (Slides)
  • Day 4: Phylogenetic comparative method (Slides)
  • Day 5: Spatial and combined models (Slides)

Literature