Language variation and linguistic invariants

Abstract

Human languages are diverse and so precise statements of common properties must abstract away from specifics of particular languages. We note several abstract and absolute 'Type 1' universals and present some new ones built on a notion of 'structural invariant' that applies equally to constituent structure and individual grammatical morphemes. Crucially, these universals may be realized in structurally diverse ways. © 2010 Elsevier B.V.