methodologies {was Re: form versus meaning}

[Jon Aske]

I didn't mean to imply that we should restrict our analysis to that
which is commonest or most trite, but rather that we should base of
'theoretical edifice' on it.  If we don't have a solid grasp on the most
basic stuff, we will never understand the nature of that which is more
complex and more rare (or why it is more rare).  If we base our edifice
on that which is unusual and relatively complex we are likely to
misunderstand that which is basic (to speakers and to language/s).

Jon
--
Jon Aske
jaske at abacus.bates.edu
http://www.bates.edu/~jaske/
--
Munduan nahi duenak luzaroan bizi, oiloekin ohera eta txoriekin jagi
"If you want to live long, go to bed with the chickens and get up with
the birds."