ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

Contextual explanation · NAV-G05-032

Irregularity

This explanation addresses the term in its originating context. It is not an additional canonical Atlas profile.

Explanation

Irregularity here is a form's departure from a productive or expected formation pattern in a specified domain. It is relative to a stated rule, not the absence of all structure. Irregular forms may display recurring subgroup patterns and be highly familiar to experienced speakers. In the context of suppletion, suppletion is a particular kind of difference within a paradigm; not every irregular inflection is suppletive. Spelling variation, rarity and grammatical error are also distinct categories. Analysis must identify the comparison pattern and document actual usage.

Movement of thought

1. Specify the comparison pattern. 2. Record the paradigm. 3. Locate the departure. 4. Seek subgroup regularities. 5. Test suppletion separately.

Example

German singen – sang (“sing – sang”) departs from weak past-tense formation but participates in a recognisable ablaut pattern.

Counter-test

Frequency alone does not make a form regular, nor does rarity alone make it irregular.

Scientific use case

Morphological research can compare productivity with lexically stored alternations.

Effect

The concept describes a form's relationship to a particular pattern.

Resonance

An exception can belong to another order.

Distinction

Distinguish irregularity from structurelessness, error, rarity and suppletion in general.

Sources