Lexical tectonics: Mapping structural change in patterns of lexification

Abstract Whether it is based on philological data or reconstruction, historical linguistics formulates etymological hypotheses that entail changes both in form and meaning. Semantic change can be understood as a “patterns of lexification”, i. e., correspondences between forms senses. Thus polysemous word, which once lexified senses s1–s2–s3, evolves so later encodes s2–s3–s4. Meanings used to colexified are now dislexified, vice versa. Leaning empirical from Romance Oceanic, this study outlines general model lexicology, identifies five types structural innovations the lexicon: split, merger, competition, shift, relexification. The theoretical discussion made easier by using visual approach change, diachronic maps. maps have already proven useful represent synchronic patterns lexification, outlining each language’s emic categories against grid etic same principle profitably when analysing lexification diachrony: lexical then viewed reconfiguration sense clusters semantic space. Maps help us visualize “lexical tectonics” at play words evolve over time, gradually shifting their meaning, gaining losing territory, colliding with other, disappearing forever.