Description
Book SynopsisThis new edition of Understanding Morphology has been fully revised in line with the latest research. It now includes 'big picture' questions to highlight central themes in morphology, as well as research exercises for each chapter.
Understanding Morphology presents an introduction to the study of word structure that starts at the very beginning. Assuming no knowledge of the field of morphology on the part of the reader, the book presents a broad range of morphological phenomena from a wide variety of languages. Starting with the core areas of inflection and derivation, the book presents the interfaces between morphology and syntax and between morphology and phonology. The synchronic study of word structure is covered, as are the phenomena of diachronic change, such as analogy and grammaticalization.
Theories are presented clearly in accessible language with the main purpose of shedding light on the data, rather than as a goal in themselve
Trade Review
"The revisions are really excellent. They keep the wealth of typological examples in the first edition, while incorporating a deep and clear discussion of recent advances in the theory of productivity and change. This updated training for students will certainly raise the level of the field."
Janet B. Pierrehumbert, Professor of Linguistics, Northwestern University, USA
Table of ContentsPreface to the second edition
Preface to the first edition
Abbreviations
1. Introduction
2. Basic concepts
3. Rules
4. Lexicon
5. Inflection and derivation
6. Productivity
7. Morphological trees
8. Inflectional paradigms
9. Words and phrases
10. Morphophonology
11. Morphology and valence
12. Frequency effects in morphology
Key to comprehension exercises
References
Glossary of technical terms
Language index
Subject index
