LINGUIST List 10.990

Fri Jun 25 1999

Review: Edmondson & Burquest: Survey of ling theories

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  • Emmanuelle Labeau, Re: Survey of linguistic theories

    Message 1: Re: Survey of linguistic theories

     Date: Thu, 17 Jun 1999 10:17:24 +0100
    From: Emmanuelle Labeau <E.Labeauaston.ac.uk>
    Subject: Re: Survey of linguistic theories


    Edmondson, J.A. & Burquest, D.A. (1998) A Survey of Linguistic Theories (3rd edition). Summer Institute of Linguistics, Dallas, 259p.

    Reviewed by Emmanuelle Labeau

    "A Survey of Linguistic Theories" aims at students in linguistics and is intended as a complement to the course the authors have been teaching at the University of Texas in Arlington. It provides an introduction to various linguistic theories and has no claim of exhaustivity. The volume is made of nine chapters: one introductory chapter and eight descriptions of (groups of) linguistic models. In their initial " Linguistic Theorizing", the authors first fix the limits of their work by defining the concept of "survey" and underlining its limitations. They use the work "survey" as in land measurement which implies giving the boundaries, the area and the elevation (in other words the prominent aspects) of each studied theory. Their aim is to offer a comparative approach. They go on with a general reflection on the development of empirical scientific research and "A brief history of the axiomatization of mathematics" that they see as very influential on system linguistics. They then focus more directly on linguistics by sketching Chomsky's definition of a grammar before asking the questions of the nature of linguistics (is it a verbal, a social or a human science?) and of the unity of verbal and non verbal behaviour. The chapter closes on a brief exposition of what formal and functional models are, the previous being concerned with strings correct formation, the latest emphasising the communicative functions of language. The rest of the book presents the following linguistic theories or trends: (1) Chomsky's Aspects Model, (2) Tagmenics as illustrated in the Pikes and Longacre's works, (3) Stratificational Linguistics mostly based on Lamb's approach. Then (4) The Great G(enerative) T(ransformational) G(rammar) Schism presents alterations from Aspects Model in two main trends: development of Chomsky's ideas as in the Extended Standard Theory, the Revised Extended Standard Theory and finally Government and Binding on one hand and Generative Semantics on the other hand. The remaining chapters include: (5) Lexical-Functional Grammar based on Bresnan's studies, (6) Montague Grammar and Generalized Phrase Structure Grammar, (7) Relational Grammar and (8) Functional Models of Grammar separated in three trends: the first being illustrated by Givon's Functional Typological Grammar and Hopper's notion of Emergent Grammar, the second by Brown and Gilman and the third by an overview of iconicity in linguistics discussion. The order is not purely chronological and is partly articulated on Chomsky's inputs and influences on other linguists. The chapters share some features: a short introduction where the main representative linguist(s) is/are quoted, a general presentation of the theory including ontology, methodology and worldview and a section on the problem-solving capacity of the theory. In some cases, a specific aspect of the theory is further developed (eg. The Affix-Hopping transformation in chapter 2); in other cases, different trends of the general theory are further discussed (like Lamb's Outline Model or Fleming's Communication Analysis for Stratificational Linguistics. Each chapter (except 5 where specific distinct developments are listed) closes on a "theorizing" note where the main characteristics like levels or primitive symbols are recapitulated. The book also contains useful appendices: (1) an Abbreviations and Symbols List that explains the most common abbreviations used in the book, (2) an index of the most important linguistic concepts and (3) 10 pages of selected references. Edmondon and Burquest have managed to make the book accessible in different way. First of all, the language used is relatively simple and avoids recourse to undefined notions. The book is generally easily readable despite the many abbreviations imposed by the theories. As far as the book organisation is concerned, the section are fairly short and manageable. There is an obvious attempt at homogeneity: the chapters present the same basic sections, illustrations of the same examples are used in several chapters (eg. the treatment of the auxiliaries in English) and there are frequent cross-references to treatments and concepts of previously presented theories. There are however a few structural weaknesses. First, a certain inconsistency appears among the chapters as some develop an individual's theory (eg. Aspects Model), other present several individual's theories (eg. Pike and Longacre for Tagmenics) and still other present several theories sharing some common features (eg. Theta Theory, X-Bar Theory, Case Theory, Binding Theory,\202 in "the Great GTG Schism"). It is therefore not clear what the authors call a "linguistic theory". A second structural problem concerns the 'theorizing' section concluding each chapter. When the chapter has presented several models, the 'theorizing' sometimes summarizes only one (eg. Pike's for Tagmenics, Lamb's for Stratificational Linguistics, Principle and Parameters Theory for the Great GTG Schism) which could lead to confusions. A summary of general features would probably be expected. Finally, one can regret that the references are given in a block at the end of the book: it would be extremely useful to add a list of references at the end of each chapter listing the reference works (they are sometimes given in the introduction of the chapter but not systematically) as well as other presentations or analyses. This would facilitate the use for students and scholars wishing to deepen their knowledge of a given point. The authors carefully set the limits of their work in their introductory chapter and there is no claim of comprehensiveness. In their Preface, they state: \171It is not intended to be a comprehensive account of everything that is happening in linguistics today but rather a sample of the more popular approaches to linguistic theorizing" (p.xi). The choice could be questioned: is "popularity" meant as international diffusion, scholars' preferences, adoption in applied linguistics? Also what are the grounds on which the "sample" has been chosen? These questions find no answer in the book. Another feature of the book is the clearly Anglo-Saxon focus although it must be said that there is an effort to use examples from other languages than English (Italian, German, Amis, Choctaw); this is also reflected in the choice of discussed linguistic phenomena. As for the choice of theories and linguists, Chomsky comes first as he is mentioned in 3 chapters (1, 2 and 5) -- understandable given his influence on the discipline. To conclude "A Survey of Linguistic Theories" is a clearly written book that manages to make accessible various theories in a very limited number of pages. Its input could however be more valuable if the choice of models was better justified and if references to other more specialized studies were readily made available to the reader.

    Emmanuelle Labeau teaches French Language in the School of Languages and European Studies of Aston University (Birmingham, Great Britain). Her research interests include French past tenses, evolution of French and French in Belgium.

    Emmanuelle Labeau Teaching Fellow School of Languages and European Studies Aston University Aston Triangle Birmingham B4 7ET Tel. 0121/359.36.11 Ext.4221 Fax. 0121/359.61.53