The Grammaticon.
Our take
Introducing The Grammaticon: a groundbreaking digital resource crafted by Martin Haspelmath, designed to illuminate the intricate web of grammatical comparative concepts in the realm of general-comparative linguistics. This innovative platform links these concepts to typological databases, offering a treasure trove of knowledge for linguists, researchers, and language enthusiasts alike. With Version 1.0 now live, The Grammaticon boasts hundreds of meticulously curated terms, blending the art of language with the science of its structure. Imagine diving into a world where grammar transcends borders, revealing connections that spark curiosity and ignite discussions. It’s not just a tool; it’s an invitation to explore the hidden relationships in language that often go unnoticed. Discover more at https://grammaticon.clld.org/ and unlock the secrets that lie within the fascinating landscape of grammar.
Martin Haspelmath's unveiling of the Grammaticon is akin to finding a hidden room in a library filled with books you didn't know you were missing. This online resource, linking grammatical comparative concepts to typological databases, is a treasure trove for linguists and language enthusiasts alike. Much like navigating the intricacies of immersion learning — as discussed in our piece Just curious, what tools do you actually use to read/listen to content in your target language before you're fluent? — the Grammaticon promises to cut through the overwhelming complexity of grammatical terminology. The repository is structured to help linguists access and understand the connections between various grammatical concepts, which is essential for anyone interested in the nuanced world of language.
What sets the Grammaticon apart is Haspelmath's approach to grammatical terminology, which has always been a labyrinthine affair. With hundreds of terms linked to typological features from databases like WALS, Grambank, and APiCS, the Grammaticon promises not just clarity but a new level of interconnectivity in how we study grammar across languages. This is particularly relevant in an era where comparative linguistics is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary. By harnessing the power of databases, this project allows researchers to see the relationships between grammatical concepts and their typological features, ultimately pushing the boundaries of what we know about language structure and usage.
It's easy to overlook the significance of such a resource when the linguistic landscape is littered with jargon and competing theories. Yet, the Grammaticon’s emergence highlights a crucial pivot toward accessibility in academia. Language is not just a subject of study; it is a living organism that grows and adapts. The introduction of the Grammaticon aligns with the ethos of democratizing knowledge, something also reflected in discussions about the evolution of narratives in our article What Happened to Jesus’ Twelve Disciples After the Bible—It Wasn’t Pretty. Just as those disciples’ stories have been retold in myriad ways, so too can our understanding of grammar evolve through shared resources like the Grammaticon.
Moreover, this project challenges the linguistic community to rethink how we engage with grammar. It inspires a sense of curiosity — a drive to explore the "why" and "how" behind grammatical structures. Linguistics can sometimes feel like a dusty old tome, but the Grammaticon injects a spark of life, urging scholars to dig deeper, question conventions, and discover connections that may have previously eluded them. The resource invites us to be active participants in the exploration of language, much like the interactions we have with the world around us.
Looking forward, the Grammaticon raises an intriguing question: How will this resource influence future linguistic research and education? Will it inspire a new generation of linguists to embrace the complexity of grammar through the lens of comparative concepts? As scholars and students alike engage with this tool, the potential for innovation in the field is immense. We stand on the precipice of a linguistic renaissance, one that could redefine how we perceive and study the intricate tapestry of human language. Stay tuned; the adventure is just beginning.
Martin Haspelmath has been working on a project he’s now put online:
The Grammaticon: Linking grammatical comparative concepts to typological databases
This blogpost introduces a new resource for general-comparative linguistics: the Grammaticon, a collection of hundreds of grammatical comparative concept terms (Haspelmath & Englisch 2026). Version 1.0 has just gone online:
Many of these terms are linked to typological features represented in database collections such as WALS, Grambank, or APiCS. Grammatical terminology is quite variable (and often somewhat confusing), so the Grammaticon offers some guidance: Each term has a standard definition, and definitions are typically linked to other terminological resources (such as Wikipedia), and for many of the typological features, the Grammaticon explains how their technical terms relate to the definitions in the Grammaticon.
The Grammaticon was first conceived of in 2017, and the idea was presented at the ALT conference in Canberra (Haspelmath & Forkel 2017). Version 1.0 is now public, and it is hoped that it will be extended and improved greatly over the coming months and years.
Click through for the FAQs; a sample:
The Grammaticon definitions use ordinary language (no abbreviations or other notational devices) and recognize that some terms cannot be defined – they are treated as “primitives”. Is it an accident that this approach is similar to Anna Wierzbicka‘s NSM approach (Natural Semantic Metalanguage, Wierzbicka 1996)?
It is not an accident – the Grammaticon has been inspired by Igor Mel‘čuk‘s approach to definitions of linguistic terms (e.g. Mel‘čuk 1982), and Mel‘čuk in turn inspired Wierzbicka in the 1960s. For the meanings of ordinary words, Wierzbicka‘s approach is compelling and almost without rivals, and it seems to me that technical terms of grammar are best treated in a similar way.
Read on the original site
Open the publisher's page for the full experience