Swinging between simplification and complexification: Morphologization as a repair strategy

According to the principle of invariance of linguistic complexity, every language shows a similar degree of complexity, although it may be distributed across different levels and structures. However, it is difficult to give empirical substance to this principle because it is not easy to say what complexity is and how it should be measured. In addition, a diachronic trade-off has been suggested, for instance between morphology and syntax, whereby previous morphological complexity may be discharged in favor of greater syntactic complexification. Furthermore, language contact has been observed to start simplification processes leading to allegedly less complex languages, such as pidgins and creoles. In this paper, it will be suggested that morphologization should be considered as the response in terms of complexity reduction to changes that render morphonological alternations opaque. A case study will be discussed in support, drawn from Titsch, a variety of Walser German spoken in the highly multilingual context of the linguistic island of Gressoney.