LINGUIST List 11.1753

Mon Aug 14 2000

Books: Optimality Theory, Bilinguality & Bilingualism

Editor for this issue: Scott Fults <scottlinguistlist.org>

Directory

1. Joyce Reid, General Linguistic Theory: Optimality Theory, R. Kager
2. Joyce Reid, Bilinguality & Bilingualism, J. Hamers & M. Blanc

Optimality Theory

Ren� Kager, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands


This is an introduction to Optimality Theory, whose central idea is
that surface forms of language reflect resolutions of conflicts
between competing constraints. The book does not limit its empirical
scope to phonological phenomena, but also contains chapters on the
learnability of OT grammars; OT's implications for syntax; and other
issues such as opacity. Exercises accompany chapters 1-7, and there
are sections on further reading. Optimality Theory will be welcomed by
any linguist with a basic knowledge of derivational Generative
Phonology.

Contents:

Preface; 1. Conflicts in grammars; 2. The typology of structural
changes; 3. Syllable structure and economy; 4. Metrical structure and
parallelism; 5. Correspondence in reduplication; 6. Output-to-output
correspondence; 7. Learning OT grammars; 8. Extensions to syntax;
9. Residual issues; References; Index of languages; Index of subjects;
Index of constraints.

Cambridge Textbooks in Linguistics

1999/400 pp./17 exercises
0-521-58019-6/Hb/List: $64.95 Disc.: $51.96
0-521-58980-0/Pb/List: $24.95^LDisc.: $19.96^P


AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW


http://www.cambridge.org

Bilinguality and Bilingualism
Second Edition

Josiane Hamers, Universit� Laval, Qu�bec
Michel Blanc, Emeritus, University of London


This updated and revised edition of Hamers and Blanc's successful
textbook presents new knowledge about languages in contact from
individual bilinguality to societal bilingualism. It is multi- and
interdisciplinary in approach, and analyzes bilingualism at
individual, interpersonal, and societal levels. Linguistic, cognitive
and sociocultural aspects of bilingual development are explored, as
are bilingual problems. The authors cover a range of issues including
the relationship among culture, identity, and language behavior in
multicultural settings; communication strategies in interpersonal and
intergroup relations; language shift; pidgins and creoles; language
planning; and bilingual education.

Contents:

Foreword to the second edition; Preface; Introduction; 1. Definitions
and guiding principles; 2. Dimensions and measurement of bilinguality
and bilingualism; 3. The ontogenesis of bilinguality; 4. Bilinguality:
cognitive development and the sociocultural context; 5. The social and
psychological foundations of bilinguality; 6. Bilinguality:
neuropsychological foundations; 7. Information processing in the
bilingual; 8. Social psychological aspects of bilinguality: culture
and identity; 9. Social psychological aspects of bilinguality:
intercultural communication; 10. Societal bilingualism, intergroup
relations and sociolinguistic variations; 11. Bilingual education;
Conclusion; Notes; Glossary; References; Subject index; Author index.

2000/482 pp./13 figures/3 tables
0-521-64049-0/Hb/List: $64.95 Disc.: $51.96
0-521-64843-2/Pb/List: $26.95 Disc.: $21.56


AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW


http://www.cambridge.org