LINGUIST List 15.1523
Thu May 13 2004
Books: Syntax: Breul
Editor for this issue: Neil Salmond <neillinguistlist.org>
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paul, Focus Structure in Generative Grammar: Breul
Message 1: Focus Structure in Generative Grammar: Breul
Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 11:20:46 -0400 (EDT)
From: paul <paulbenjamins.com>
Subject: Focus Structure in Generative Grammar: Breul
Title: Focus Structure in Generative Grammar
Subtitle: An integrated syntactic, semantic and intonational approach
Series Title: Linguistik Aktuell/Linguistics Today 68
Publication Year: 2004
Publisher: John Benjamins
http://www.benjamins.com/
http://www.benjamins.nl/
Book URL: http://www.benjamins.com/cgi-bin/t_bookview.cgi?bookid=LA%2068
Author: Carsten Breul, University of Duisburg-Essen
Hardback: ISBN: 9027227926, Pages: x, 432 pp., Price: US $ 156.00
Abstract:
The notion of focus structure in this work refers to the distinction
between categorical, thetic and identificational sentences. The
central claim is that the syntactic representation of every sentence
has to encode which of these types of focus structure is
realized. This claim is discussed in great detail with respect to
syntax, intonation and semantics within the framework of the
Minimalist Program. It is shown that the incorporation of focus
structure into syntax offers new perspectives for a solution of vexing
problems in syntax and semantics. For example, fronting (preposing,
'topicalisation') is treated as a syntactic operation which clearly
belongs to core grammar, i.e. is not optional or 'stylistic'; the
semantic notion of quantifier raising is dispensed with in favour of a
focus structural treatment of phenomena which gave rise to it. The
book appeals to generative linguists and to functional linguists who
do not believe in an unbridgeable gap between the formal and
functional analysis of language.
Lingfield(s): Syntax
Written In: English (Language Code: ENG)
See this book announcement on our website:
http://linguistlist.org/get-book.html?BookID=10192.