Metamodellides

Metamodellides are a theoretical concept in linguistics that refers to the underlying, abstract structure or principles that govern a particular language or a set of languages. This concept is distinct from a metamodel in computer science or engineering, which defines the structure of data models. In linguistics, a metamodellide attempts to capture the universal or common features of language, suggesting that beneath the surface variations of individual languages lie shared organizational rules and cognitive frameworks.

The idea of a metamodellide implies that languages are not entirely arbitrary but are shaped by fundamental cognitive processes and communicative needs. Linguists exploring this concept might analyze grammatical structures, semantic relationships, or phonological patterns to identify these deeper, unifying principles. This can involve comparing diverse languages to find commonalities in how they represent concepts, build sentences, or organize sounds. The goal is to move beyond descriptive linguistics, which focuses on the specifics of individual languages, towards a more explanatory framework that addresses the nature of language itself.

While not a widely established or formalized term in mainstream linguistics, the underlying idea of identifying universal linguistic structures resonates with other theoretical approaches, such as Universal Grammar proposed by Noam Chomsky or the principles of cognitive linguistics. The term "metamodellide" suggests a high-level abstraction, a model of models, that could potentially explain the diversity and commonality observed across all human languages. Research in this area would likely involve extensive cross-linguistic comparison and theoretical modeling.