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ChrisTCollins

@christcollins.bsky.social
134 followers 153 following 82 posts

A linguist specializing in syntactic theory, English syntax and African languages.

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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
If you are interested in Merge, please remember to register for this talk: ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/08/merg...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Merge: Past, Present, and Future (talk on November 6, 2026)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/09/reco...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Reconstruction and the New Minimalism (published version)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
MaS5 is around the corner. Register if you are interested. ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/09/morp...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Morphology as Syntax 5 (University of Delaware, April 16 2027)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/09/exci...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
CUNY Linguistics Colloquium (September 3, 2026)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
linguistlist.org/issues/37/27...
linguistlist.org
LINGUIST List 37.2781 Confs: Morphology as Syntax 5 (USA)
The LINGUIST List, International Linguistics Community Online.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/08/merg...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Merge: Past, Present, and Future (talk on November 6, 2026)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Here is the handout for my talk today: "Merge is All You Need: An Esquisse of Morphology as Syntax" ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/08/merg...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Merge is All You Need: An Esquisse of Morphology as Syntax (talk handout)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
This is your last chance to register for my talk on "Morphology as Syntax" Monday August 24, 2026. They are closing registration today. ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/08/synt...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Syntactic Pathways To Morphology Online Lecture Series | Chris Collins (August 24, 2026)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Remember, if you want to attend remotely, you need to register. It is on August 24, 2026. I will be talking about Morphology as Syntax. ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/08/synt...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Syntactic Pathways To Morphology Online Lecture Series | Chris Collins (August 24, 2026)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com
Syntactic Pathways To Morphology Online Lecture Series | Chris Collins, August 24th, 2026 — 11am (BRT)/ 10am (ET)/ 4pm (CEST)
Syntactic Pathways to Morphology (SPTM) is a monthly online lecture series hosted by the Department of Linguistics at the University of São Paulo, bringing together researchers working on the morpholo...
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/08/summ...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Summer 2026 Fieldwork (Kpelegbe) by the Numbers
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/07/pean...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Peanut Butter Town
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
This co-authored paper has now appeared in JWAL, which is an open access journal for African linguistics. It is a very different topic for me. ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/07/ghan...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Ghanaian versus Togolese Ewe (publication version, JWAL)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
On the River (from "In Search of the Roots of Human Language: The Autobiography of Human Language") open.substack.com/pub/ordinary...
open.substack.com
On The River
In Search of the Roots of Human Language
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Reposted by ChrisTCollins
Antonio Fábregas @antoniofabregas.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
www.sciencedirect.com/science/chap...
sciencedirect.com
Agreement
Agreement involves situations where the same grammatical property is formally marked in two or more items within the same clause, but is only semantic…
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/06/eati...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Eating Low-Carb in West Africa
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/05/aspe...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Aspects of Tone in Cua (Zachary Wellstood)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Request for Information: As people may know, NSF linguistics is no longer accepting proposals, and the future is uncertain. I want to ask: for small workshops, what other sources of funding are there (other than departmental and university funding)?
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
I have added functionality to the home page of my blog ("Ordinary Working Grammarian"). If you have not checked it out before, now is the time. Comments welcome! ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Ordinary Working Grammarian
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/05/how-...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
How to Turn Your QP into a Journal Publication (in Syntax)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/05/how-...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
How to Cite This Blog
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/05/mini...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Minimalist Syntax and the Many Faces of Recursion
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/05/ghan...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Ghanaian versus Togolese Ewe (prepublication draft May 21 2026)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
You need to register: www.lsadc.org/ev_calendar_...
lsadc.org
2026 Bloomfield Lecture with Norbert Hornstein, author of The Merge Hypothesis: A Theory of Aspects of Syntax
2026 Bloomfield Lecture with Norbert Hornstein, author of The Merge Hypothesis: A Theory of Aspects of Syntax Wednesday, May 20, 3:00-4:00 PM ET This event will provide a unique opportunity to learn ...
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/04/basi...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Basic Skills in Syntax (Part 1): Working with Syntactic Data
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
This is my last post on the Undergraduate Introduction to Syntax for the semester. There is a final lecture on "Principles and Parameters", an tree drawing context, which the students really liked (they told me so), and a final review sheet. ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/01/unde...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Undergraduate Introduction to Syntax (Lectures, Spring 2026)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
I barely feel qualified to write this, but here are a few things that have helped me throughout the years. I wrote this for a friend experiencing some stressful situations on the job. ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/04/mana...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Managing Stress at Work
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
Added: Lecture 20 (VP-Shells) and Assignment 6. ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/01/unde...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Undergraduate Introduction to Syntax (Lectures, Spring 2026)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Congratulations to our NYU student Olivia Ndapo who just passed her dissertation proposal defense. The title of the dissertation proposal is: Argument Structure in Oshiwambo: The Role of Implicit Arguments.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Announcement! The MaS4 website has now been updated. It includes the announcement for MaS5, and it also includes abstracts and handouts for MaS4. Please check it out. Thanks to Paco and his team for updating the website! sites.google.com/stonybrook.e...
sites.google.com
MaS4
CONFERENCE GOALS The purpose of this workshop is to investigate the relationship between morphology and syntax, and in particular to investigate the extent to which morphological generalizations can b...
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/01/elim...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Eliminating Agree
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/04/inve...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Inversion Seminar: Questions and Answers (Spring 2026)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/04/my-w...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
My Wegovy Journey
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Undergraduate Introduction to Syntax Added: Lecture 18 (VPSH) and Lecture 19 (Raising versus Control). Enjoy! ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/01/unde...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Undergraduate Introduction to Syntax (Lectures, Spring 2026)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/04/work...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Worksheet for Syntactic Fieldwork
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/04/blog...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Blog Posts on ELAN
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Lecture 17 and Assignment 5 added. ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/01/unde...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Undergraduate Introduction to Syntax (Lectures, Spring 2026)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
MaS4 (Morphology as Syntax 4). You need to register to attend. There are both Zoom and in-person options. sites.google.com/stonybrook.e...
sites.google.com
M&S4
CONFERENCE GOALS The purpose of this workshop is to investigate the relationship between morphology and syntax, and in particular to investigate the extent to which morphological generalizations can b...
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/04/audi...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Audio Interview: Fieldwork in My Career (April 3, 2026)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
MaS4 on April 17, 2026, so not much time left, remember to register (either for Zoom or in-person): sites.google.com/stonybrook.e...
sites.google.com
M&S4
CONFERENCE GOALS The purpose of this workshop is to investigate the relationship between morphology and syntax, and in particular to investigate the extent to which morphological generalizations can b...
000
ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Added two lectures. One on T to C and other on Internal Merge more generally. ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/01/unde...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Undergraduate Introduction to Syntax (Lectures, Spring 2026)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/04/guid...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Guidelines on Grading Undergraduate Syntax Assignments
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/04/the-...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
The First Field Trip: 10 Pieces of Advice
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
I have added lectures 12, 13 and 14, Assignment 4, and a supplement to lecture 9 (on coordination). Have fun! Feedback welcome. ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/01/unde...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Undergraduate Introduction to Syntax (Lectures, Spring 2026)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/03/firs...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
First Steps: Writing the Kpelegbe (Ewe) Dictionary
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Remember to register: sites.google.com/stonybrook.e...
sites.google.com
M&S4
CONFERENCE GOALS The purpose of this workshop is to investigate the relationship between morphology and syntax, and in particular to investigate the extent to which morphological generalizations can b...
000
ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/03/book...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Book Notice: The Laws of Thought (2026)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/03/reco...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
Reconstruction and the New Minimalism
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
000
ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
sites.google.com/stonybrook.e...
sites.google.com
M&S4
CONFERENCE GOALS The purpose of this workshop is to investigate the relationship between morphology and syntax, and in particular to investigate the extent to which morphological generalizations can b...
011
ChrisTCollins @christcollins.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Congratulations to myself! 400,000 Visits for Ordinary Working Grammarian. ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/03/4000...
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
400,000 Visits for Ordinary Working Grammarian
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
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