LINGUIST List 14.2822

Fri Oct 17 2003

Books: Syntax: Moss

Editor for this issue: Marisa Ferrara <marisalinguistlist.org>

Directory

1. lincom.europa, A Reduced Theory of Theta-Role and Case Assignment and Binding: Moss

Title: A Reduced Theory of Theta-Role and Case Assignment and Binding
Series Title: LINCOM Studies in Theoretical Linguistics 34
			
Publication Year: 2003
Publisher: Lincom GmbH 
 www.lincom-europa.com, http://lincom.at		 
			
Author: Michael D. Moss, University of Gdansk 

Paperback: ISBN: ISBN3895867616, Pages: 160, Price: EUR 62
Comment: invoices in USD and GBP available
			
Abstract:

This work attempts to reduce the number of mechanisms used in
generative grammar to explain the design of human language. Up to now,
generative linguistics has separated Binding, Case assignment and
Theta-Role assignment into three separate sub-theories. Each of the
sub-theories worked independently using its own set of rules and
relations. In this thesis, Michael Moss shows that all three
sub-theories can be reduced to one, namely binding. In order to
achieve this reduction, first binding must be simplified to explain
PRO phenomena without resorting to government. Once the binding
definition is simplified to c-command and co-indexation, the other two
components must be shown to also comply with this definition. Using
mechanisms proposed in the minimalist program, theta-role assignment
is shown to accord with the above definition. Finally, using Agree as
proposed in the recent literature (Chomsky 2000), Case assignment is
also shown to function under the same rules as binding. In the last
chapter, an attempt is made to show that Agree can be used as the
driving force behind all three of these reduced relations. (also see
the LINCOM webshop: lincom.at)

Lingfield(s): Syntax

Written In: English (Language Code: ENG)


 See this book announcement on our website: 
 http://linguistlist.org/get-book.html?BookID=7707.