Cambridge Studies in Linguistics Reihe

Focusing on the developmental process, this book delves into the mechanisms by which children learn to construct complex sentences. It explores linguistic theories, cognitive development, and the role of social interaction in language acquisition. Through empirical research and case studies, the author presents insights into the stages of sentence complexity that children navigate, offering a detailed understanding of their linguistic growth and the factors influencing it.

Guglielmo Cinque, a prominent figure in theoretical syntax, presents a collection of eleven essays that delve into various aspects of Italian syntax. The volume includes both previously published works and new essays, offering insights into the comparative syntax of Italian alongside other Romance and Germanic languages. This comprehensive exploration will be invaluable for scholars focused on Italian syntax and those interested in broader theoretical syntax discussions.

Focusing on early bilingualism, this study investigates the intricacies of morphosyntactic development in young bilingual individuals. It delves into how children acquire and process grammatical structures in two languages, offering insights into the cognitive and linguistic factors influencing this complex developmental stage. Through detailed analysis, the research aims to enhance understanding of bilingual language acquisition and its implications for education and linguistics.

This book delves into the grammatical structures that serve specific functions within language, exploring the concept of functional categories. It examines how these elements contribute to meaning and communication, providing insights into the underlying rules that govern language use. Through a detailed analysis, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and intricacies of linguistic frameworks, making it a valuable resource for linguists and language enthusiasts alike.

A new theory of grammar which explores the old distinction between OV and VO languages and their underlying basic asymmetry.

Focusing on the interplay between language and cognition, this study examines how different languages convey the impact of information structure on object representation. It explores various linguistic frameworks and provides insights into how speakers prioritize and organize information about objects in communication. The research highlights cross-linguistic variations and implications for understanding cognitive processes related to language use.

The 1991 book introduces an innovative theory regarding definiteness in language, exploring how it influences communication and understanding. It delves into the nuances of language structure and usage, offering insights that challenge conventional perspectives. Through detailed analysis, the author presents a framework that redefines the role of definiteness, contributing to the broader field of linguistics and enhancing comprehension of language dynamics.

Focusing on the theory of syntactic case, the book explores the intricate relationship between morphosyntax and grammatical function within a unification-based framework. It introduces three ordered constraints governing the association of noun phrases and arguments, emphasizing the concept of "restrictiveness." Beginning with an in-depth analysis of dative substitution in Icelandic, the author examines diverse synchronic and diachronic data to develop a typology of case. This innovative work is essential for those interested in the evolution and cross-linguistic aspects of case systems.

The first in-depth study of the way languages can use a noun, as opposed to an adjective, to modify another noun. It surveys a wide range of languages and provides a detailed, explicit theoretical analysis of a range of previously unexplored constructions. It will be of interest to scholars and students of syntax, morphology and semantics.

Using an innovative theoretical framework, Dr. Ritt describes the phenomenon of the change in vowel length in early Middle English, and sets out to account for its occurrence. He shows that the changes stem from universal principles that govern the way in which humans use speech sounds to communicate. He examines why these principles only sometimes lead to widespread changes, as in Middle English, and goes on to suggest that language is a complex system in which conflicting tendencies are constantly renegotiating their spheres of influence.

This evaluation of Chomsky's work from the perspectives of linguistics, evolution of language, history of physics, and philosophy of mind is interdisciplinary. It encourages linguists to reflect on the foundations of their discipline, and invites non-linguists to appreciate the complexity of human language and its place in the world.

Using data from a variety of languages, this book explores a range of grammatical categories and constructions, including tense, aspect, subjunctive, case and demonstratives. It presents a new theory of grammatical categories - the Universal Spine Hypothesis - and reinforces generative notions of Universal Grammar while accommodating insights from linguistic typology.

This book reduces, to a bare minimum, the primitive notions required to characterize the syntax of natural language systems, providing a simple yet explanatory formal basis for investigation at all levels of the structure and function of language. It will be ideal for graduates and academic researchers concerned with human language and syntax.

Syntactic theory has been dominated in the last decades by theories that disregard semantics in their approach to syntax. This book presents an alternative approach to syntax, showing that syntax can be analyzed from a semantic perspective.

A brilliant analysis of colloquial English, both its syntax and its variations, using novel data from live, unscripted radio and TV broadcasts and the internet.

Introduction; 2. Compounds and words; 3. The grammar of compounds; 4. The semantics of compounds; 5. The classification of compounds; 6. Facets of English compounding; 7. Discussion.

Fluent aphasia is explored in depth, highlighting its impact on language abilities. The book delves into the characteristics of the disorder, including how it affects communication and comprehension. It also discusses potential causes, diagnostic criteria, and therapeutic approaches, making it a valuable resource for understanding this complex condition.

Focusing on the syntactic context of English nominalizations, this book delves into how different readings emerge from specific structures. It examines the intricate mechanisms behind the formation and interpretation of English nouns, offering insights into their diverse meanings based on grammatical usage.

This book provides a pioneering introduction to heritage languages and their speakers, written by one of the founders of this new field. Using examples from a wide range of languages, it covers all the main components of grammar, including phonetics and phonology, morphology and morphosyntax, semantics and pragmatics, and shows easy familiarity with approaches ranging from formal grammar to typology, from sociolinguistics to child language acquisition and other relevant aspects of psycholinguistics. The book offers analysis of resilient and vulnerable domains in heritage languages, with a special emphasis on recurrent structural properties that occur across multiple heritage languages. It is explicit about instances where, based on our current knowledge, we are unable to reach a clear decision on a particular claim or analytical point, and therefore provides a much-needed resource for future research.

This book explains how particle verbs fit into the grammatical systems of English and Dutch.

The book offers an in-depth analysis of sentential negation within the Government and Binding framework, highlighting the similarities between negative and interrogative sentences. Haegeman introduces the AFFECT-criterion, which manifests as the WH-criterion for questions and the NEG-criterion for negation, leading to phenomena like WH-movement and NEG-movement, particularly evident in Germanic languages. The work also explores representational chains in Romance languages and discusses theoretical distinctions in syntax, making it valuable for scholars in theoretical syntax.

Focusing on the complex process of reduplication in Afrikaans, this study reveals that its principles are shared across various languages, challenging the notion of unique linguistic structures. Botha argues that understanding Afrikaans reduplication does not require specialized conceptual frameworks, aligning with contemporary cognitive research. The analysis exemplifies Galilean linguistic inquiry, contributing valuable insights into morphology, word formation, and semantics, making it a significant resource for scholars in these fields.

The study introduces a novel category of copular sentences called inverse copular sentences, where the noun phrase serves as the predicate and occupies the subject's canonical position. This finding unifies four areas of syntax into a cohesive framework, linking inverse copular sentences with existential sentences, constructions with "seem," and unaccusative forms. Additionally, it addresses classical syntactic issues, offering insights into expletives, locality theory, cliticization, possessive constructions, and cross-linguistic variations of the Definiteness Effect.

Turning grammar upside down, this book proposes a new model of syntax that is better suited for interdisciplinary interactions, and shows how syntax can proceed free of lexical influence. The empirical domain examined is vast, and all the fundamental units and properties of syntax are rethought.

Focusing on verb structure within Athapaskan languages, this book provides an in-depth and scholarly exploration of the topic. It combines theoretical insights with detailed analysis, making it a valuable resource for linguists and those interested in the complexities of verb formation and usage in this language family. The work emphasizes the unique characteristics and patterns found in Athapaskan verbs, contributing to a greater understanding of the language's structure and its linguistic significance.

Focusing on the role of morphological productivity in the evolution of English vocabulary, this book explores its impact on word formation and structure. It adopts an eclectic approach by integrating findings from morphology, syntax, and phonology. Drawing on two decades of research, the text offers fresh insights and examines a diverse array of linguistic and psycholinguistic evidence, making it a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of language development.

Focusing on the cognitive processes of creole genesis, this study delves into relexification, reanalysis, and direct leveling. It provides a detailed comparison of Haitian creole with French and Fongbe, highlighting how elements from these source languages manifest in the creole. The author emphasizes the contributions of adult speakers and addresses challenges in three key approaches—universalist, superstratist, and substratist—central to the ongoing debate about creole development.

A state-of-the-art survey exploring the linguistic questions of modality and mood. It will appeal to researchers and advanced students working in the fields of syntax, semantics and pragmatics, and the interfaces between them.

This second edition presents a completely revised overview of research on intonational phonology since the 1970s, including new material on research developments since the mid 1990s. It contains a new section discussing the research on the alignment of pitch features that has developed since the first edition was published, a substantially rewritten section on ToBI transcription that takes account of the application of ToBI principles to other languages, and new sections on the phonetic research on accent and focus. The substantive chapters on the analysis and transcription of pitch contours, pitch range, sentence stress and prosodic structure have been reorganised and updated. In addition, there is an associated website with sound files of the example sentences discussed in the book. This well-known study will continue to appeal to researchers and graduate students who work on any aspect of intonation.