Date: 29-May-2008 From: Paul Peranteau <paulbenjamins.com> Subject: Language and Meaning: Beedham E-mail this message to a friend
Title: Language and Meaning
Subtitle: The structural creation of reality
Series Title: Studies in Functional and Structural Linguistics 55
Published: 2008
Publisher: John Benjamins
http://www.benjamins.com/
Author: Christopher Beedham
Paperback: ISBN: 9789027215642 Pages: 225 Price: Europe EURO 33.00
Paperback: ISBN: 9789027215642 Pages: 225 Price: U.S. $ 49.95
Abstract:
Now Available in Paperback!
This book illustrates the structuralist idea that language creates the reality we perceive. The data presented in this volume focus on the problematic issues of the passive construction and irregular (strong) verbs, with examples taken primarily from English with separate subsections on German and Russian. The author presents a new and different analysis of these complex topics which proceeds from the levels of form to meaning rather than the traditional and generative methodologies that follow the opposite path from meaning to form. This book will be of interest to all linguists who have ever confronted the controversial question of the interaction between lexical exceptions and grammatical rules. The scope of this volume is rather broad and it compares and contrasts text grammar versus sentence grammar in an innovative way.
Table of contents List of Figures ix List of Tables xi Preface xiii-xiv Introduction 1 1. Saussurean structuralism 3-17 2. Aspect 19-31 3. The passive 33-60 4. Generative grammar 61-105 5. Tense and irregular verbs 107-133 6. Text grammar: Parole versus Langue 135-152 7. The method of lexical exceptions 153-164 Conclusion 165-169 Notes 171-185 References 187-200 Appendices 201-206 Glossary of aspect terms 207-212 Name index 213-215 Subject index 217-225
"This is an ambitious volume which is likely to be of particular interest to postgraduate students [...]. The concluding chapter sets out the method of lexical exceptions in a manner easily accessible to students. As a whole, the book is certain to stimulate lively debates and encourage empirical research." - Forum for Modern Language Studies 2007/43.1:94
"Besonders gelungen scheint mir die Verbindung von allgemeinen sprachtheoretischen Fragestellungen mit eigenen konkreten empirischen Untersuchungsergebnissen zu einzelnen Bereichen der englischen (z.T. auch der deutschen und der russischen) Grammatik in Gestalt einer weiterführenden und wegweisenden 'Zusammenschau'. [...] Im Prinzip geht es überall darum entsprechend dem Saussureschen Konzept von der Unteilbarkeit des sprachlichen Zeichens, nach Unterschieden in der Bedeutung zu fahnden, wo es Formenunterschied gibt (auch und gerade dort, wo solche Bedeutungsunterschiede bisher nicht erkannt worden sind). Mit diesem Ansatz ist das Buch gleichermaßen originell wie konsequent, vermittelt in seiner Rigorosität zweifellos auch weitere Impulse für die linguistische Forschung." - Prof. Dr. Gerhard Helbig, Universität Leipzig
"The chapter on strong verbs is a real detective story, nicely written, and full of intriguing suggestions, especially on the relationship with sound symbolism." - Prof. David Crystal
"I admire the way the author has taken the basic research he has done over many years (notably irregular verbs and the passive) and used it as a point of departure for a vigorous, outspoken and thought-provoking presentation of a radical alternative to fashionable orthodoxies." - The Lord Quirk FBA
Linguistic Field(s):
Linguistic Theories
Philosophy of Language
Semantics
Syntax
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