| In this project we will approach the issue of language variation within a language, 'microvariation', from a multidisciplinary perspective. The initial idea is that different dimensions of microvariation - geographic variation, language acquisition (first and second language) and diachronic variation - are closely related in the intrinsic properties of variability and in the extrinsic properties that cause linguistic microsystems to vary. We will concentrate on the topic of inflection in Dutch, which is merely restricted to adjectival and verbal inflection. The three projects will concentrate on a) geographic variation, b) first language acquisition and c) second language acquisition. A synthesis will be provided by the applicants which also includes a study of inflection in historical perspective. The goal of this programme is to gain insight into the structure of microvariation (restrictions on variation, cross-categorial correlations, differences between microvariation and macrovariation) and into the role of language contact as the major external source of language variation. |
