1 Swinging between simplification and complexification: morphologization as a repair strategy Livio Gaeta Department of Humanities University of Turin Abstract According to the principle of invariance of linguistic complexity, every language shows a similar degree of complexity, although it may be distributed across different levels and structures. However, it is difficult to give empirical substance to this principle because it is not easy to say what complexity is and how it should be measured. In addition, a diachronic trade-off has been suggested, for instance between morphology and syntax, whereby previous morphological complexity may be discharged in favor of greater syntactic complexification. Furthermore, language contact has been observed to start simplification processes leading to inherently less complex languages such as pidgins and creoles. In this paper, it will be suggested that morphologization should be considered as the response in terms of complexity reduction to changes that render opaque morphological alternations. A case study will be discussed in support, that is drawn from Titsch, a variety of Walser German spoken in the highly multilingual context of the linguistic island of Gressoney. Keywords: Complexity, Simplification, Inflection, Morphologization, Linguistic Islands 1. Introduction According to the principle of Invariance of Linguistic Complexity (= ILC), every language has a similar degree of complexity, although it may be distributed across different levels and structures (Baerman et al. 2015; Sampson 2009). Therefore, a higher degree of complexity in phonology or syntax may correspond to a lower degree of complexity in morphology and