Re: Too Many Too Little Possible Roots!!!

Kristian Jensen wrote:
>
> Matt skrev:
>
> >Kristian Jensen skrev:
> >
> >>So you wouldn't by chance know what this secret number is? Come
> >>on, let us all in to your secret!! I know you know!!
> >
> >I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.
> >
> That's a shame. But if you change you're mind you could send me the
> number in private - one conlanger to another. I promise I won't tell
> anybody... even if you spare my life afterwards.
>
> Regards,
> -Kristian- 8-)
In grad ling courses I have taken, I was told 8,000-12,000 words as
being the minimum.  I don't recall a source.  Its been ages since
I looked at Athabaskan lgs in anything more than a cursorial manner, but
I believe that at least some of them get by with less than 2000
morphemes.  Take a look at Hoijer's now dated Navaho Lexicon or the
more recent work of Young and Morgan (let us bow in reverence).  Also
there was a study of Chipewyan published by Li Fang-Kuei in the
International Journal of American Linguistics (v.7,nos.3 and 4, pp.
122-151, 1932) which if I recall correctly, claimed ca. 1900 stems
for its total inventory.
Finally, you might take a look at what may be the greatest dictionary
EVER compiled, The Great Tzotzil Dictionary of Zinacantan.  The authors
spent years checking every phonotactically acceptable stem to make the
most complete list possible.  It may be as close as anyone will ever
come to having a complete dictionary of any language, albeit at that
point in time.  Don't recall the authors, it was a Smithsonian
Instititution publication though (IIRC).
I know, lots of memory weaknesses, but if it isn't Uto-Aztecan or
Siouan, I am rarely able to find the time to give a natlang any
attention at all.  Can't wait for this semester from hell to be over.
--
Brad Coon
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