Language Quote by Daniel L. Everett
““Although Pirahã nouns are simple, Pirahã verbs are much more complicated. Each verb can have as many as sixteen suffixes—that is, up to sixteen suffixes in a row. Not all suffixes are always required, however. Since a suffix can be present or absent, this gives us two possibilities for each of the sixteen suffixes—216, or 65,536, possible forms for any Pirahã verb.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Language: The Cultural and Cognitive Foundations of Linguistic Diversity, Daniel L. Everett, 2012
Pirahã verbs can attach up to sixteen suffixes, creating a massive number of possible forms and illustrating extreme morphological complexity.
In simple terms: Pirahã verbs are highly complex due to many suffixes.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that language can encode vast meaning with compact structures.
Themes
linguistics
complexity
morphology
Mood
analytical
curious
Type
academic
informative
When to use this quote
- language documentation
- field research
- grammar analysis
- teaching linguistics
Key Concepts
Morphological typology
cognitive linguistics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does such complexity affect language acquisition?
- What advantages might this morphological richness provide?
A Different Perspective
Complexity may hinder language learning for outsiders.
