What is a matrix?

Definition
	A matrix is an arrangement of items into labeled rows and columns within a table.
	It shows the relationship between two categories of features that are relevant to the items in the matrix. The row headings represent features belonging to one category. The column headings represent features belonging to another category.
	Each column or row contains items having the feature described in the heading. Each cell in the matrix represents an item characterized by the features in the corresponding column and row.

Example (Tuwali Ifugao, Philippines)

Here is an example of a matrix showing the relationship of roots and affixes in Tuwali Ifugao (Philippines):

Affix

Root

-um-

-imm-

in-

um-e

imm-e

i-e

in-e

ali

um-ali

imm-ali

i-ali

in-ali

Concept module: matrix
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): M
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004