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typological hierarchy

A typological hierarchy is a way of organizing things based on their levels of complexity or similarity. Imagine classifying living organisms: simple bacteria are at a basic level, while more complex animals like mammals are higher in the hierarchy. Similarly, in language or other systems, features are arranged from basic, shared characteristics to more specialized, advanced traits. This structure helps us understand how different types relate and develop from common roots, highlighting patterns of organization and evolution across various fields.