Essentials of Grammatical Theory

Essentials of Grammatical Theory
Author: D. J. Allerton
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 294
Release: 2016-11-10
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 131551995X

The aim of this book, first published in 1979, is to provide a sound basic introduction to the study of grammar within linguistics. The work concentrates primarily on the core of grammatical theory rather than a single narrow theoretical viewpoint. After introductory chapters on the study of language and language as a semiotic system, the precise tasks of grammatical theory are clearly outlined. The aims and problems of generative grammar are then described, and the importance of grammatical analysis is highlighted. The central part of the book is devoted to the fundamental questions of syntactic theory and a detailed study of morphology. Finally, the author surveys the problems of grammar beyond the sentence. This title will be of interest to students of linguistics.

Essential German Grammar

Essential German Grammar
Author: Martin Durrell
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 392
Release: 2015-02-20
Genre: Foreign Language Study
ISBN: 1317541820

Essential German Grammar is a student-friendly grammar and workbook designed to give learners a firm foundation on which to build a real understanding of both spoken and written German. The reference grammar section offers clear explanations of key grammar points while a separate exercise section gives students the opportunity to test themselves and put into practice what they have learned. This new edition has been revised and updated throughout. Explanations, tables and exercises have been improved and a number of the authentic texts and illustrations have been replaced by new material. Key features of this second edition include: User-friendly layout with updated 2 colour design, engaging illustrations and visually appealing tables throughout to aid the learning process Clear and accessible explanations with memorable examples informed by the latest research on the German language and presented in accordance with current teaching methodology Helpful parallels between English and German provided where relevant End-of-chapter extracts taken from contemporary journalistic or authentic literary sources, illustrating grammar in context, with model translations provided at the back of the book Material to enable better strategic learning and understanding, including a Why Grammar?—FAQ section, a glossary of grammatical terms in both English and German and a complete answer key to exercises Created especially for the new edition, a companion website at www.routledge.com/cw/kaiser offering a wealth of additional materials, including interactive exercises, quizzes and flashcards to test student understanding, downloadable PDF sheets for classroom use, PowerPoint slides for instructors and audio recordings illustrating the sounds of spoken German. Written by highly experienced lecturers in the field, Essential German Grammar is an invaluable resource for intermediate and advanced students of German (CEFR levels A2 to B2, ACTFL Novice High to Intermediate High). It is designed to function equally as a free-standing grammar or as a foundation grammar for Hammer’s German Grammar and Usage and is suitable for both classroom use and self-study.

Introduction to the Theory of Grammar

Introduction to the Theory of Grammar
Author: Henk C. van Riemsdijk
Publisher: MIT Press (MA)
Total Pages: 392
Release: 1986
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN:

Introduction to the Theory of Grammar makes available to teachers and students of syntax a comprehensive critical review of the main results of present day grammatical theory and shows how they were achieved.

A Theory of Syntax

A Theory of Syntax
Author: Norbert Hornstein
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 205
Release: 2009
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 0521449707

Discusses a topical set of issues in syntactic theory, including a number of original proposals at the cutting edge of research in this area. The book provides a theory of the basic grammatical operations and suggests that there is only one that is distinctive to language.

Aspects of the Theory of Syntax

Aspects of the Theory of Syntax
Author: Noam Chomsky
Publisher: MIT Press
Total Pages: 276
Release: 1969-03-15
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 9780262260503

Chomsky proposes a reformulation of the theory of transformational generative grammar that takes recent developments in the descriptive analysis of particular languages into account. Beginning in the mid-fifties and emanating largely form MIT, an approach was developed to linguistic theory and to the study of the structure of particular languages that diverges in many respects from modern linguistics. Although this approach is connected to the traditional study of languages, it differs enough in its specific conclusions about the structure and in its specific conclusions about the structure of language to warrant a name, "generative grammar." Various deficiencies have been discovered in the first attempts to formulate a theory of transformational generative grammar and in the descriptive analysis of particular languages that motivated these formulations. At the same time, it has become apparent that these formulations can be extended and deepened.The major purpose of this book is to review these developments and to propose a reformulation of the theory of transformational generative grammar that takes them into account. The emphasis in this study is syntax; semantic and phonological aspects of the language structure are discussed only insofar as they bear on syntactic theory.

Grammatical Theory in the United States from Bloomfield to Chomsky

Grammatical Theory in the United States from Bloomfield to Chomsky
Author: Peter Hugoe Matthews
Publisher:
Total Pages: 272
Release: 1993
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 9780521433518

This is a history of modern linguistics which focuses on the spread and dominance of linguistic theory originating in North America. It concentrates on the theories and influence of Bloomfield and Chomsky, and offers systematic coverage of their enormous contributions to grammatical theory over their lifespan. As well as tracing the intellectual histories of these great figures, and of others in the field, Professor Matthews follows the development and continuity of three dominant grammatical ideas in linguistics. First, the idea that the study of formal relations can and should be separated from that of meaning. Second, that sentences are composed of linear configurations of morphemes. Third, that many aspects of grammar are defined generically. His biographical and theoretical survey will be invaluable to all linguists wishing to trace the origins of their discipline.

Information-Based Syntax and Semantics: Volume 1, Fundamentals

Information-Based Syntax and Semantics: Volume 1, Fundamentals
Author: Carl Pollard
Publisher: Center for the Study of Language and Information Publications
Total Pages: 0
Release: 1987-11-01
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 9780937073230

A long-standing, near-universal, and erroneous practice of teaching syntax in a void exists, as if the communicative function of language had nothing to do with syntax. And semantics has customarily been taught in sequence after syntax, or else not at all. Based upon graduate courses taught at Stanford University, this work seeks to redress this situation by building up syntactic and semantic aspects of grammatical theory in an integrated way from the start, under the assumption that neither is of linguistic interest divorced from the other. The particular theory presented, head-driven phrase structure grammar (HPSG) - so-called because of its central notion of the grammatical head - is an information-based (or 'unification-based' theory that has its roots in a number of different research programs within linguistics and neighboring disciplines such as philosophy and computer science. Thus HPSG draws upon and attempts to synthesize insights and perspectives from several families of contemporary syntactic theories, such as categorial grammar, lexical-functional grammar, generalized phrase structure grammar, and government-binding theory; but many of its key ideas arise from semantic theories like situation semantics and discourse representation theory, and from computational work in such areas as knowledge representation, data type theory, and formalisms based upon the unification of partial information.

Generative Grammar

Generative Grammar
Author: Geoffrey Horrocks
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 333
Release: 2014-05-12
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1317887778

This book provides a critical review of the development of generative grammar, both transformational and non-transformational, from the early 1960s to the present, and presents contemporary results in the context of an overall evaluation of recent research in the field. Geoffrey Horrocks compares Chomsky's approach to the study of grammar, culminating in Government and Binding theory, with two other theories which are deliberate reactions to this framework: Generalised Phrase Structure Grammar and Lexical-Functional Grammar. Whilst proponents of all three models regard themselves as generative grammarians, and share many of the same objectives, the differences between them nevertheless account for much of the recent debate in this subject. By presenting these different theories in the context of the issues that unite and divide them, the book highlights the problems which arise in any attempt to establish an adequate theory of grammatical representation.

A Grammar of Upper Tanana, Volume 1

A Grammar of Upper Tanana, Volume 1
Author: Olga Lovick
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press
Total Pages: 699
Release: 2020-02-01
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1496213157

A Grammar of Upper Tanana, Volume 1 provides a linguistically accurate written record of the endangered Upper Tanana language. Serving as a descriptive grammar of Upper Tanana, the book meticulously details a language that is currently fluently spoken by approximately fifty people in limited parts of Alaska’s eastern interior and Canada’s Yukon Territory. As part of the Dene (Athabascan) language group, Upper Tanana embodies elements of both the Alaskan and Canadian subgroups of Northern Dene. This is the first comprehensive grammatical description of any of the Alaskan Dene languages. With the goal of preserving a language no longer consistently taught to younger generations, Olga Lovick’s foundational study is framed within the traditional form of linguistic theory that allows linguists and nonspecialists alike to study a vulnerable language that exists outside the dominant Indo-European mainstream. This text provides a substantive bulwark to protect a language acutely threatened by near-term extinction. In its expansive detailing of the Upper Tanana language, this volume is methodologically oriented toward structural linguistics through approaches focusing on phonology, lexical classes, and morphology. With attention to both detail and thoroughness, Lovick’s comparative approach provides solid grounding for the future survival of the Upper Tanana language.

Greek: An Essential Grammar of the Modern Language

Greek: An Essential Grammar of the Modern Language
Author: David Holton
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 294
Release: 2015-04-22
Genre: Foreign Language Study
ISBN: 1134573332

Greek: An Essential Grammar of the Modern Language is a concise and user-friendly reference guide to the most important aspects of modern Greek. It presents a fresh and accessible description of the language in short, readable sections. Explanations are clear and supported by examples throughout. The Grammar is ideal for learners of all levels and is suitable for those involved in independent study and for students in schools, colleges, universities and adult classes of all types. Features include: * lots of clear and up-to-date examples * clear explanations of grammatical terms * discussion of points which often cause problems * Greek/English comparisons and contrasts highlighted. Greek: An Essential Grammar of the Modern Language will help you read, speak and write with greater confidence.