Syntactic relations : a critical survey / P. H. Matthews.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Matthews, P. H. (Peter Hugoe)

Series:

Cambridge studies in linguistics ; 114.

Cambridge studies in linguistics ; 114

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Grammar, Comparative and general--Syntax.

Grammar, Comparative and general.

Physical Description:

ix, 210 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, UK ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2007.

Summary:

Accounts of syntax are usually based on two assumptions: firstly, that a sentence comprises a hierarchy of phrases, forming a 'tree' structure; and secondly, that phrases have 'heads', on which subordinate units depend. These fundamental assumptions are questioned in this critical new survey, which argues that neither concept is as important as is claimed, and that syntactic relations are in fact far more varied.

Drawing on data from English as well as other major European languages, it summarises earlier accounts of syntactic structure and looks at the different ways in which specific constructions have been described - the subject of much disagreement between linguists. It explores the problems faced by particular analyses, and raises the question of whether syntax should be made simpler than it is. Suitable for non-specialists and complete with a clear and useful glossary, Syntactic Relations will become an essential and thought-provoking read for students and researchers in linguistic theory.

Contents:

Relations 1

Where shall we start? 9

2 What beginners are told 11

The doctrine of phrases 11

What is a head? 23

3 Heads and dependents 27

Dominance 27

Where arguments are complementary 30

Markers 35

'Complementisers' 39

Prepositions 49

Verb phrases 55

4 Must phrases have heads? 61

'Determiners' 61

Determiners and pronouns 69

Where does this lead us? 75

'Universals' 78

What is universal? 81

5 Asymmetries 90

Types of construction 90

One head or two? 95

Types of dominance 100

Subjects 104

6 Constituents 110

Phrase structure 110

Phrase structure and dependency 112

How far is there equivalence? 115

Layering in noun phrases 119

Why should constituency be thought fundamental? 126

Structures and categories 133

'Movement' 137

7 Must constructions reduce to tree structures? 143

How reduction is achieved 143

Compositionality 149

Group-verbs 156

Complex predications 159

'Small clauses' 163

Coordination 169

8 Simplicity 178

Should syntax not be simpler? 178

'Theories' 181.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 199-204) and index.

ISBN:

0521845769

9780521845762

0521608295

9780521608299

OCLC:

71347527

Publisher Number:

9780521845762

9780521608299