Read more
Delivers a firm grounding in the tools of syntactic analysis using a Minimalist framework This textbook introduces the main aspects of Minimalist syntax through the use of data from a number of varieties of English. In doing so it equips you with a firm grounding in tools of syntactic analysis while demonstrating the potential for variationist linguistics and theoretical syntax to feed into each other. By working through the range of examples and exercises you will be able to see that all varieties of language are rule-based and can be observed and described systematically, regardless of how Standard or socially valued they are. Each chapter explores examples of puzzling syntactic phenomena in varieties of English. Through analysis of the given constructions, and comparison to similar structures, it will introduce you to the relevant concepts in Minimalist syntax. Key features: - Sections highlighting differences between the Minimalist Programme and previous syntactic frameworks - Each chapter works through examples of puzzling syntactic phenomena - Exercises focus on Standard and Non-Standard English - Further reading and a glossary of key terms to aid further study and consolidate learning - Over 300 examples and figures to clearly demonstrate key concepts and ideas - Sample answers to exercises can be found on the website: [insert link] Elspeth Edelstein is a lecturer in language and linguistics at the University of Aberdeen
List of contents
1 Got Grammar?
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Grammaticality
1.2.1 Determining Grammaticality
1.3 What is Syntax?
1.4 What is Minimalism?
1.5 Variation in English
1.6 Further Reading
1.7 Exercises
2 Phrase Structure2.1 C-Selection & Merge
2.2 Adjuncts & Specifiers
2.3 Talking About Trees
2.4 What Happened to X-Bar?
2.5 Syntactic Generation
2.6 S-selection
2.6.1 Thematic Roles
2.6.2 Other Types of Selection?
2.7 Conclusion
2.8 Further Reading
2.9 Exercises
3 Lexical Verbs3.1 Ditransitive and Double Object verbs
3.1.1 Variation in Theta-Role Assignment Again
3.2 Transitive and Intransitive verbs
3.3 Back to give back
3.3.1 Give it you back
3.4 Conclusion
3.5 Further Reading
3.6 Exercises
4 Auxiliary verbs and Functional Structure4.1 Passive auxiliaries
4.2 Whither the subject?
4.2.1 Evidence for Subject Movement
4.2.2 What happened to traces?
4.3 Get-passives
4.4 Other auxiliaries
4.4.1 Multiple Modals
4.5 Conclusion
4.6 Further Reading
4.7 Exercises
5 Embedded Clauses and Questions5.1 Embedded Clauses
5.1.1 Embedded Questions
5.2 Questions
5.2.1 Lexical Be, Have and Do
5.2.2 Wh-Questions
5.2.3 Multi-Clausal Questions
5.3 Relative Clauses
5.4 Conclusion
5.5 Further Reading
5.6 Exercises
6 Negation6.1 Not and -n't
6.1.1 Negation and Modality
6.2 Do-Support with Negation
6.3 Negation in Questions
6.4 Negation in Scottish English
6.5 Negative Polarity Items
6.6 Neg-Raising
6.7 Negative Concord
6.8 Conclusion
6.9 Further Reading
6.10 Exercises
7 Non-Finite Complements7.1 Non-Finite Complements
7.1.1 Raising verbs
7.1.2 Control verbs
7.1.3 Accusativus Cum Infinitivo
7.2 Is PRO (Un)-Minimalist?
7.2.1 Raising and Floating Quantifiers
7.3 Other Verbal Complements
7.3.1 Concealed and Alternative Embedded Passives
7.4 Conclusion
7.5 Further Reading
7.6 Exercises
8 Nouns and Determiners8.1 The DP Hypothesis
8.1.1 Reevaluating the DP Hypothesis
8.1.2 Subcategorisation
8.2 Reflexive pronouns
8.2.1 Unbound and Long-Distance Reflexives
8.3 Coordinated pronouns
8.4 Conclusion
8.5 Further Reading
8.6 Exercises
9 Adjectives and Adverbs9.1 Rethinking Structure
9.1.1 Specifiers and Adjuncts
9.1.2 Selection of Dependents
9.2 Adjectives
9.2.1 Attributive Adjective Order
9.3 Adverb Order
9.4 Adverb Placement: Evidence from Adverb Climbing
9.5 Sentence-Final Adverbs
9.6 Post-Verbal Adverbs
9.6.1 Are Adjectives and Adverbs the Same Thing?
9.7 Summing up Adverb Placement and Order
9.8 Conclusion
9.9 Further Reading
9.10 Exercises
10 Minimalism and Microvariation10.1 Sources of Data
10.2 Sources of Variation
10.3 Intraspeaker Variation
10.4 Conclusion
10.5 Further Reading
Bibliography
About the author
Elspeth Edelstein is a Lecturer and the Undergraduate Programme Convenor in Language and Linguistics at the University of Aberdeen
Summary
Delivers a firm grounding in the tools of syntactic analysis using a Minimalist framework
