LINGUIST List 12.2171

Thu Sep 6 2001

Books: Syntax

Editor for this issue: Richard John Harvey <richardlinguistlist.org>

Directory

1. kap-listman, Flexible Syntax. Ad Neeleman, Fred Weerman

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Flexible Syntax: A Theory of Case and Arguments
by

Ad Neeleman, Dept. of Phonetics and Linguistics, University College
London, UK

Fred Weerman, Utrecht Institute of Linguistics OTS, Utrecht University,
The Netherlands

STUDIES IN NATURAL LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTIC THEORY Volume: 47

Most linguistic theories assume that each grammatical relation is
established in a unique structural configuration. Neeleman and Weerman
take issue with this view, arguing for a more flexible approach on the
basis of conceptual considerations and data taken mostly, but not
exclusively, from the Germanic languages. In-depth analyses of word
order phenomena as well as diachronic and typological generalizations
motivate a re-evaluation of the role of case in the projection of
arguments. Case is shown to provide a syntactic foothold for thematic
interpretation, something which is necessary in a grammar that does
not allow fixed theta-positions. Thus, this study does not only offer
a genuine alternative to many standard assumptions, it also explains
why there should be such a thing as case in natural language.

CONTENTS

Preface. 1. Prologue. 2. The OV/VO Parameter.
3. Morphological Case. 4. Prepositional Complements.
5. Raising to Subject. 6. Head Marking. 7. Epilogue.
References. Index.

Paperback, ISBN 0-7923-7199-2, August 2001, 272 pp.
EUR 48.00 / USD 44.00 / GBP 30.00

URL of this book: http://www.wkap.nl/book.htm/0-7923-7199-2


 
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