Third Factors in Language Variation and Change

Provides a unique angle, by linking insights from theoretical advances in generative syntax to phenomena from language variation and change.

List of contents

Preface; 1. The shift towards a minimal UG; 2. Labeling in language change; 3. Determinancy in language variation; 4. Determinancy in language change; 5. Labeling and determinancy: verb-second and expletives; 6. Adjunct incorporation and avoiding pair merge; 7. Conclusion.

About the author

Elly van Gelderen is a syntactician interested in language change. Her work shows how regular syntactic change provides insight in the Faculty of Language. Elly is the author of eleven books and eighty or so articles/chapters, the editor of two book series and has herself edited or co-edited eleven books/special issues.

Summary

This pioneering book makes an important contribution to linguistics by explaining syntactic variation and change within the most recent version of minimalist syntax. It focusses on the mechanisms necessary for syntactic computation, and suggests that these are general cognitive principles rather than principles specific to the language faculty.

Product details

• Authors: Elly van Gelderen, Elly (Arizona State University) Van Gelderen, Van Gelderen Elly
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.01.2024
• EAN: 9781108926409
• ISBN: 978-1-108-92640-9
• No. of pages: 238
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > Other languages / Other literatures; LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Grammar & Punctuation, LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / Syntax, Grammar, syntax & morphology, Grammar, syntax and morphology