Description
Book SynopsisPresenting key insights from contemporary syntactic theory in one clear and coherent narrative, this lively textbook provides a concise introduction to the formal theory of syntax, avoiding unnecessary detail. It is suitable for undergraduate students in linguistics, modern languages and English.
Trade Review'A lucid, accessible, and deeply informed introduction that leads carefully to substantial understanding of language and linguistics. A very welcome contribution.' Noam Chomsky, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
'This introduction to syntax is a new and interesting teaching tool. The way it is conceived allows the students to get insights into the reasoning mechanisms of formal syntax that go beyond technicalities. The approach is sound and solid and also provides useful exercises and activities that help the student to start working with the basic bricks of syntactic theory acquiring at the same time the gist of linguistic analysis.' Cecilia Poletto, Goethe University, Frankfurt and University of Padua, Italy
Table of ContentsIntroduction. The language machine; 1. Categories and features; 2. Merge; 3. Theta theory; 4. Case theory; 5. Agreement and uninterpretable features; 6. Movement and remerge; 7. Unifying movement and agreement; 8. Syntax and morphology; 9. Syntax and phonology; 10. Syntax and semantics; Afterword; Glossary; References; Index.
