I am fascinated by the many features of human languages that appear arbitrary but, nevertheless, recur from language to language. Some of this consistent arbitrariness is the historical residue of common linguistic descent, some emerges from our cognitive organization. Syntax is the are that confronts this intellectual puzzle head on, and it is the area of linguistics that I focus on.
My research combines two empirical strands. One involves the exploration of lesser known languages that appear exotic to English speakers. Celtic and Polynesian languages are the backbone of this work. The second strand of my research involves broadly experimental techniques to explore issues of language
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Von Ehre ohne Ruhm,
Von Grösse ohne Glanz
Von Würde ohne Sold
--W. Benjamin, Deutsche Menschen (Of Honor without Fame, Of Greatness without Splendor, Of Dignity without Pay. Translation by Hanah Arendt, Men in Dark Times. )