Classification of ComparativeTypology

Ethalon language is an object language for ComparativeTypology and it is also a means or system of tools to compare languages. It is usually identified deductively. The notion of etalon language was introduced by Boris Uspensky. Some scholars prefer the term meta language which is to a certain extent synonymous to ethalon language.

Below there are some more examples of ethalon language: - specially created artificial language; -an existing language with thewell-developed system; -certain sign system; -certain linguistic method; -phonetic, morphological, syntactic or other models; -intermediary language; -the language of translation, etc. For applied purposes, etalon language is classified into minimal and maximal.

The typological theory defines common linguistic notions used in Comparative Typology. The typological theory is used to define language isomorphism (common features ) and allomorphism (differentiating signs).

Branches of Comparative Typology as to the levels of language hierarchy

Phonetic and phonological typology deals with the comparison of units of the phonologic level of language. It engages in the allocation of phonological differential signs, defining their universality, study of the phonological structure of languages, classification of languages on the basis of their phonological features (e.g. tonic and atonic languages), defining the phonemic structure of world languages and many others. For a long time, the Prague linguistic school was the center of Phonological typology

The circle of research in Morphological typology is very wide. It compares the units of a morphological level. Depending on the character of research the morphological typology can classify into two types: Morphological typology engaged in the morphological classification of languages; Morphological typology engaged in particular questions of grammar, i.e. parts of speech and their grammatical categories.

Syntactic typology engages in a comparison of syntactic level units. The basic units for comparison are word-combination and the sentence. Depending on the character of research Syntactic typology may fall into several sections: comparison of units of a word-combination, the level of the sentence, as well as comparison of units of various levels with regards to their syntactic functioning. Syntactic typology usually compares languages on the basis of a transformational syntax.

Formal typology deals with the units of expression plan of the language which belongs to various levels of language hierarchy.

Semantic typology is a branch of Comparative Typology studying the semantic structure of the language and related to the units of content plan. The ultimate goal of Semantic typology is identifying semantic universals which are directly related to the deep structure of the language.

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