Finiteness - Theoretical and Empirical Foundations

Zusatztext The book's value lies in the fact that it broadens our perspective on finiteness by providing ample discussion of 'exceptional' configurations, such as non-finite forms used in independent clauses or inflected infinitives. Informationen zum Autor Irina Nikolaeva is a Research Associate in Linguistics at the University of Oxford. She has a PhD in Linguistics from the University of Leiden. Her interests include syntax, morphology, typology, lexicalist theories of grammar, and the documentation of endangered languages. She has published books on Uralic, Altaic, and Palaeosiberian languages, as well as papers on the syntax-semantics and syntax-information structure interface, phonology, and historical-comparative linguistics. Klappentext This book explores the nature of finiteness, clarifying what it is and establishing its usefulness and limitations. Leading scholars look from a range of perspectives at how finiteness is conceived in formal and functional theories of grammar; at its cross-linguistic manifestations; at the finite/nonfinite opposition in individual languages; and at the role of finiteness in linguistic change and linguistic development. The book is written and structured to appeal to scholars and students of syntax and general linguistics at graduate level and above. Zusammenfassung Divided into four parts, this book explores the nature of finiteness. Part I considers the role finiteness plays in formal syntactic theories and Part II its deployment. Parts III and IV look respectively at the finite/nonfinite opposition in individual languages and at the role finiteness plays in linguistic change and linguistic development.

Product details

• Authors: Irina Nikolaeva, Irina (EDT) Nikolaeva
• Assisted by: Irina Nikolaeva (Editor), Irina (School of Oriental and African Studies) Nikolaeva (Editor), Nikolaeva Irina (Editor)
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 17.05.2007
• EAN: 9780199213733
• ISBN: 978-0-19-921373-3
• No. of pages: 537
• Dimensions: 165 mm x 235 mm x 32 mm
• Series: Oxford Linguistics; Oxford Linguistics
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative linguistics; LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Grammar & Punctuation, LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / Syntax, Grammar, syntax & morphology, Language acquisition, Grammar, syntax and morphology