Abstract: This paper examines the role of three versions of analogy: (1) analogy as structure, (2) analogy as lexical diffusion, and (3) analogy as suppletive leveling as applied to the history of French sounds from the fourth to the sixth centuries. The nineteenth-century approach relied heavily on suppletive analogy realized as allomorphic leveling. It is proposed that this form of analogy originated in ethnic idealism and, consequently, should be viewed as an implement of that idealism rather than of historical accuracy. Within this context is raised, in contrast, a distinction between structural vs. social variants in support of analogy as structure and of lexical diffusion during the period between the fall of the Empire and Charlemagne.
Publication Year: 2012
Publication Date: 2012-08-29
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 2
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