|
|
 E-mail this message to a friend
|
|
Title:
|
Syntactic Theory and the Grammar of Catalan Compounds
|
|
Author:
|
Anna Gavarró
|
|
Homepage:
|
http://webs2002.uab.es/ggt/Gavarro/gavarro.html
|
|
Degree Awarded:
|
University of Edinburgh
, Undergraduate Programme in Linguistics
|
|
Degree Date:
|
1991
|
|
Linguistic Subfield(s):
|
Syntax
|
|
Subject Language(s):
|
Catalan-Valencian-Balear
|
|
Director(s):
|
Ronnie Cann
|
|
|
Abstract:
|
|
|
According to a prevalent lexicalist view, morphology is autonomous from syntax: syntactic principles do not apply to morphological structures. This thesis develops an alternative view, presented in the work of Baker (1988). In this approach, some morphological phenomena are treated in a Principles and Parameters model of syntax (cf. Chomsky 1981, 1986), augmented with a subtheory of morphology. This kind of word formation is therefore hypothesised to be subject to the Projection Principle and the principles of the current subtheories of syntax, in addition to the morphological subtheory, which constraints the possible X-zero structures. The resulting framework is applied to compounding in Catalan.
The account postulated provides a model which is restrictive both with respect to the constraints of the grammar and to the information contained in lexical entries. The logically possible compound forms are systematically surveyed; grammaticality is determined by reference, in particular, to the interaction of theta theory, Case theory, and government theory, together with the morphological subtheory. However, no reference is made to Move alpha, unlike in Baker's treatment of incorporation and other accounts of word formation. [N V] verbal compounds, whose interpretation involves inalienable possession, and which are apparently unique to Catalan amongst the Romance languages, raise the question as to how to formalise inalienability; this notion is shown to be derivable if morphological structures are constrained by binding theory. Parameterisation of morphological principles is considered; there is discussion of the significance for universal grammar of the taxonomy of compounds and compound-like words induced by the role of Case theory in the analysis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page Updated: 29-Nov-2009
Please report any bad links or misclassified data
LINGUIST Homepage | Read
LINGUIST | Contact us
While the LINGUIST List makes every effort to ensure the linguistic relevance of sites listed
on its pages, it cannot vouch for their contents.
|
|
