Rightward Movement in a Comparative Perspective

Rightward Movement in a Comparative Perspective
Author: Gert Webelhuth
Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing
Total Pages: 486
Release: 2013-07-16
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 9027290636

This book represents the state of the art on rightward movement in one thematically coherent volume. It documents the growing importance of the combination of empirical and theoretical work in linguistic analysis. Several contributions argue that rightward movement is a means of reducing phonological or structural complexity. The inclusion of corpus data and psycholinguistic results confirms the Right Roof Constraint as a characteristic property of extraposition and argues for a reduced role of subsentential bounding nodes. The contributions also show that the phenomenon cannot be looked at from one module of grammar alone, but calls for an interaction of syntax, semantics, phonology, and discourse. The discussion of different languages such as English, German, Dutch, Italian, Italian Sign Language, Modern Greek, Uyghur, and Khalkha enhances our understanding of the complexity of the phenomenon. Finally, the analytic options of different frameworks are explored. The volume is of interest to students and researchers of syntax, semantics, psycholinguistics, and corpus linguistics.

Rightward Movement Phenomena in Linguistics

Rightward Movement Phenomena in Linguistics
Author: Kohji Kamada
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
Total Pages: 340
Release: 2019-01-29
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1527527387

This book demonstrates that some properties of rightward movement phenomena (a cover term referring to sentences in which an element appears to be “displaced” to the right) may be derived from syntactic principles and interface conditions within the framework of the generative grammar/minimalist program. It also argues that certain properties, which up to now have been dealt with purely in regards to syntax, can be better accounted for in terms of language processing; accordingly, the human parser should undertake explanations of part of the competence system’s output. The volume’s analysis of rightward movement phenomena leads to the conclusion that phrasal rightward movement rules in syntax fail to follow specific principles. At first glance, this conclusion seems identical with Kayne’s (1994) claim that no rightward movement rules exist. However, this work provides completely different grounds for the absence of rightward movement rules, meaning that it presents an original view of rightward movement phenomena.

Japanese Syntax in Comparative Perspective

Japanese Syntax in Comparative Perspective
Author: Mamoru Saito
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 333
Release: 2014-05-01
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 0199945217

This book examines the syntax of Japanese in comparison with other Asian languages within the Principles-and-Parameters framework. It grows out of a collaborative research project on comparative syntax pursued at the Center for Linguistics at Nanzan University from 2008-2013, in collaboration with researchers at Tsing Hua (Hsinchu, Taiwan), Connecticut, EFL U. (Hyderabad, India), Siena, and Cambridge. In ten chapters, the book compares the syntax of Japanese to that of Chinese, Korean, Turkish, Hindi, and Malayalam, focusing on ellipsis, movement, and Case. The first three chapters compare nominal structures in Japanese and Chinese and account for the differences between them. An important point of comparison in these chapters is the patterns of N'-ellipsis the two languages exhibit. The subsequent two chapters focus on ellipsis. One examines argument ellipsis in Japanese, Turkish, and Chinese, and argues for its correlation with the absence of

Extraposition from NP in English

Extraposition from NP in English
Author: Edward Göbbel
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG
Total Pages: 378
Release: 2020-08-10
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1501509853

The impact of phonology on word order phenomena has become a central research agenda ever since the Minimalist Program emphasised the role of interface conditions on syntactic operations. This book is a detailed study of extraposition from NP, which has traditionally been the domain of syntactic investigation and information-structural studies. After an examination of syntactic accounts of PP and relative clause extraposition, which are largely found inadequate, it explores the possibility of phonological solutions by comparing the prosodic structure of canonical and extraposed word orders. Particular attention is payed to the informational status of extraposed constituents and the focus structure of the sentence. The book shows that extraposition optimises the prosodic structure of sentences and in some cases their rhythmic structure, while focus structure only plays a role in extraposition of defocused constituents. The book further argues that extraposition occurs at PF, while certain binding-theoretical consequences of extraposition can be resolved by LF movement. With its focus on the interface between syntax and phonology, the book will appeal to researchers working on either domain.

SignGram Blueprint

SignGram Blueprint
Author: Josep Quer
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG
Total Pages: 896
Release: 2017-11-20
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1501511807

"It is common for grammars to include an introductory chapter that offers a general introduction to the language under investigation as well as its users. We encourage the grammar writer to include this type of information for the sign language to be described. If a certain variant of the sign language is described, this should be made clear at the outset. The structure of this part is fairly flexible. As can be seen from the table of contents, we suggest including information about (i) the history of the sign language, (ii) characteristics of the Deaf community, (iii) the status of the sign language, and (iv) previous linguistic work on the sign language. The last section in particular will have an impact on the content of subsequent parts, as we encourage the grammar writer to include findings from previous studies in the grammatical description of the sign language. Clearly, alternative structures are possible. The overview of previous linguistic work, for instance, could be provided under the "History" header, and Deaf culture and/or Deaf education could be discussed under dedicated first-level headers - to give just two examples. Also, depending on the available information, sub-headers could be added. Note that we adopt the convention of writing Deaf with a capital D when it refers to issues related to a community that is characterized by the use of a sign language. In contrast, deaf with a small d refers to the medical condition of not being able to hear. It is up to the grammar writer to decide whether to stick to this convention in the grammar"--

Theoretical Approaches to Disharmonic Word Order

Theoretical Approaches to Disharmonic Word Order
Author: Theresa Biberauer
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Total Pages: 550
Release: 2013-12-05
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 0191507318

This book considers the implications of cross-linguistic word-order patterns for linguistic theory. One of the salient results of Joseph Greenberg's pioneering work in language typology was the notion of a 'harmonic' word-order type, whereby if the verb appears at the left or right edge of the verb phrase, other heads (e.g. prepositions, nouns) also tend to do so. Today, however, there is recognition in both the typological and generative literature that very many, and possibly even the majority of languages, fail to be fully harmonic in the sense that all head-complement pairs pattern alike. But does this imply limitless variation? The chapters in this volume, written by international scholars, discuss the issues arising from this basic question, drawing on data from typologically distinct disharmonic languages, including Mandarin Chinese, Basque, Mócheno (a Tyrolean variety spoken in Northern Italy), French, English, Hixkaryana (a Cariban language), Khalkha Mongolian, Uyghur Turkic, and Afrikaans. The volume begins with a substantial introduction to the study of word order and its relation to linguistic theory. It is then divided into sections on the nature of disharmony; the role of prosody; the question of Antisymmetry and novel alternatives to Antisymmetry; and the Final-over-Final Constraint. Aside from introducing new empirical findings, the volume also offers a range of new perspectives on disharmonic word orders, the status of word order in linguistic theory, and theoretical accounts of typological gaps.

The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Syntax, 8 Volume Set

The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Syntax, 8 Volume Set
Author: Martin Everaert
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 5254
Release: 2017-12-26
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1118358724

An invaluable reference tool for students and researchers in theoretical linguistics, The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Syntax, Second Edition has been updated to incorporate the last 10 years of syntactic research and expanded to include a wider array of important case studies in the syntax of a broad array of languages. A revised and expanded edition of this invaluable reference tool for students and researchers in linguistics, now incorporating the last 10 years of syntactic research Contains over 120 chapters that explain, analyze, and contextualize important empirical studies within syntax over the last 50 years Charts the development and historiography of syntactic theory with coverage of the most important subdomains of syntax Brings together cutting-edge contributions from a global group of linguists under the editorship of two esteemed syntacticians Provides an essential and unparalleled collection of research within the field of syntax, available both online and across 8 print volumes This work is also available as an online resource at www.companiontosyntax.com

A Matter of Complexity

A Matter of Complexity
Author: Roland Pfau
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG
Total Pages: 243
Release: 2016-03-07
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1501503014

Since natural languages exist in two different modalities – the visual-gestural modality of sign languages and the auditory-oral modality of spoken languages – it is obvious that all fields of research in modern linguistics will benefit from research on sign languages. Although previous studies have provided important insights into a wide range of phenomena of sign languages, there are still many aspects of sign languages that have not yet been investigated thoroughly. The structure of subordinated clauses is a case in point. The study of these complex syntactic structures in the visual-gestural modality adds to our understanding of linguistic variation in the domain of subordination. Moreover, it offers new empirical and theoretical evidence concerning possible structures and functions of subordination in natural languages. And last but not least, it answers the question to what extent the corresponding morphosyntactic and prosodic strategies depend on the modality of articulation and perception. This volume represents the first collection of papers by leading experts in the field investigating topics that go beyond the analysis of simple clauses. It thus contributes in innovative ways to recent debates about syntax, prosody, semantics, discourse structure, and information structure and their complex interrelation.

Pseudo-Noun Incorporation and Differential Object Marking

Pseudo-Noun Incorporation and Differential Object Marking
Author: Imke Driemel
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 369
Release: 2023-03-07
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 0192691481

This book provides a detailed cross-linguistic study of pseudo-noun incorporation, a phenomenon whereby an argument forms a 'closer than usual' relation with the verb. Imke Driemel draws on data from Tamil, Mongolian, Korean, Turkish, and German, and applies diagnostic tests across eleven noun types in each of the languages under consideration. What emerges is a coherent effect of pseudo-incorporated arguments that maps loss of case marking to obligatory narrow scope, lack of binding and control relations, and a potentially restricted movement pattern. The book provides a unifying theory that is able to capture all properties with a single assumption: pseudo-incorporation effects result from noun phrases that are made up of a nominal and a verbal category feature; implemented in a derivational framework, the nominal feature is active early in the derivation, being responsible for c-selection and nominal modification, while the verbal feature is active late and crucially derives the effects we have come to recognize as pseudo-noun incorporation. One important empirical contribution of this study stems from the observation that pseudo-incorporation does not have to be the only reason for optional case marking. Tamil and Korean provide evidence that only a subset of optionally case-marked noun types also show a correlation with scope, binding, control, and movement constraints. This insight enforces the conclusion that the same language can make use of both pseudo-noun incorporation and differential object marking.

Silently Structured Silent Argument

Silently Structured Silent Argument
Author: Yuta Sakamoto
Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Company
Total Pages: 282
Release: 2020-05-08
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 9027261229

Theoretical linguistics in the generative tradition has payed much attention to issues related to silence ? children know the syntax of silence despite the fact that they do not have direct access to it throughout their language acquisition process. One of the issues that have been hotly discussed regarding silence in natural languages is whether it involves syntactic structure or not. This book is concerned with a particular instance of silence in natural languages, what is called radical pro-drop, showing that it is silently structured on the basis of novel data from Japanese as well as Chinese, Korean, Mongolian, and Turkish. The discussion in this book also has consequences for the dichotomy between PF-deletion vs. LF-copying, shedding a new light on the proper analysis of several syntactic phenomena in Japanese, including wh-in-situ and control.