Optimality-Theoretic Syntax (Language, Speech, and Communication) - Hardcover

Johns Hopkins University; University Of Maryland At College Park

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0262122359 ISBN 13: 9780262122351

Publisher: Bradford Books, 2001

Synopsis

Recent work in theoretical syntax has revealed the strong explanatory power of the notions of economy, competition, and optimization. Building grammars entirely upon these elements, Optimality Theory syntax provides a theory of universal grammar with a formally precise and strongly restricted theory of universal typology: cross-linguistic variation arises exclusively from the conflict among universal principles.Beginning with a general introduction to Optimality Theory syntax, this volume provides a comprehensive overview of the state of the art, as represented by the work of the leading developers of the theory. The broad range of topics treated includes morphosyntax (case, inflection, voice, and cliticization), the syntax of reference (control, anaphora, and pronominalization), the gammar of clauses (complementizers and their absence), and grammatical and discourse effects in word order. Among the theoretical themes running throughout are the interplay between faithfulness and markedness, and various questions of typology and of inventory.ContributorsPeter Ackema, Judith Aissen, Eric Bakovic, Joan Bresnan, Hye-Won Choi, João Costa, Jane Grimshaw, Edward Keer, Géraldine Legendre, Gereon Müller, Ad Neeleman, Vieri Samek-Lodovici, Peter Sells, Margaret Speas, Sten Vikner, Colin Wilson, Ellen Woolford

About this title

About the Author:

Geraldine Legendre is Professor of Cognitive Science at Johns Hopkins University and a preeminent syntactician of French.

About this edition

• Publisher: Bradford Books
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0262122359
• ISBN 13: 9780262122351
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 555
• Editor: Legendre Geraldine, Grimshaw Jane B., Vikner Sten