I was using the cline notion to refer to descriptions which arrange
phenomena on a scale, gradiently (technically topological) as opposed to
descriptions which are categorical, treating phenomena as categorically
different (in semiotics and linguistics, influenced by Saussure's notion
of valeur - meaning as difference) - the latter categorical approach can
be referred to as typological. Thus a topological/typological
complementarity in how we view phenomena - as graded or categorically
opposed. A few days back Jay wrote about this complementarity in terms
of different perspectives on phenomena, noting that speakers can operate
as if clines were categorical as far as making meaning was concerned.
Jim Martin