Especially in creole studies simplicity and complexity implicitly have been dominant issues in the debate, but are seldom properly scrutinized. In this workshop we want to discuss the role of complexity in these domains, including grammatical theory, first and second language acquisition, language change and language contact - in order to shed light on controversial problems invoked by the term complexity in linguistics in general. Each theme will be discussed by researchers from France and the Netherlands in 10 minutes presentations, inspired by the following propositions. After these short presentations there will be time for discussion in each session. All complexity in languages resides in the lexicon.
Languages spoken within small communities are more complex than languages of large communities.
Language shift will in general lead to simplification, while borrowing will lead generally to more complex structures. Complexity does not play a role in first language acquisition, but it does in second language acquisition. Grammaticalization leads to greater complexity. Drinks and dinner. Please let us know if you are interested to join this workshop.