Introduces the reader to Noam Chomsky's theory of language and
explains its fundamental concepts, providing a broad overview and
history of the theoryUpdated and revised to include a broader range
of issues and discussion topics
Traces the development of Chomsky's thinking and of the
Minimalist Program since 1995, providing a new picture of this
current model of syntactic theoryIntroduces both the general
concepts of the theory of Universal Grammar and the main areas of
syntax such as X-bar theory, movement and government/binding
theory
Includes discussion topics, exercises, and suggestions for further
readings in each chapter.
Noam Chomsky’s theory of Universal Grammar, which has continued to
evolve over the past six decades, is central to the concerns of
present-day linguistics. Chomsky's Universal Grammar introduces
the reader to Chomsky’s theory of language by setting the specifics
of syntactic analysis in the framework of his general ideas. This
third edition explains its fundamental concepts and provides a
broad overview and history of the theory based on current
approaches. Technicalities are put into context, making them more
accessible to the reader.
The new edition has been substantially updated, providing an
up-to-date picture of this rapidly changing model of syntactic
theory. New material has been added throughout, including data on
first and second language acquisition and the syntax of the
developing Minimalist Program, such as Phase Theory. Additional
discussion topics and exercises have been incorporated in each
chapter to provide more student aids.
"Linguist, philosopher and political activist, Noam Chomsky, has spent six decades developing his theory of Universal Grammar, a concept now central to contemporary linguistics. The authors provide a cogent, accessible introduction that situates the still-evolving concept in the broader framework of Chomskys work." Times Higher Education Supplement
"Cook and Newsons book is a theoretically sound and didactically well-designed overview and analysis. It will be an excellent textbook for any course on the sources and concerns of current syntactic developments, especially because it does not shy away from discussing problematic points and alternative solutions." István Kenesei, University of Szeged
"The book is a masterly introduction to a complex body of work. The new edition has been thoroughly rewritten to bring it up to date with recent developments. For a clear and reliable guide to Chomskys linguistics, and its relevance to first and second language acquisition, students need look no further." Raphael M. Salkie, University of Brighton
"Linguist, philosopher and political activist, Noam Chomsky, has spent six decades developing his theory of Universal Grammar, a concept now central to contemporary linguistics. The authors provide a cogent, accessible introduction that situates the still-evolving concept in the broader framework of Chomsky's work." Times Higher Education Supplement "Cook and Newson's book is a theoretically sound and didactically well-designed overview and analysis. It will be an excellent textbook for any course on the sources and concerns of current syntactic developments, especially because it does not shy away from discussing problematic points and alternative solutions." Istvan Kenesei, University of Szeged "The book is a masterly introduction to a complex body of work. The new edition has been thoroughly rewritten to bring it up to date with recent developments. For a clear and reliable guide to Chomsky's linguistics, and its relevance to first and second language acquisition, students need look no further." Raphael M. Salkie, University of Brighton
V. J. Cook is Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. He is author of numerous books, including Accomodating Brocolli in the Cemetary: Or Why Can't Anybody Spell? (2004) and The English Writing System (2004).Mark Newson is Reader in the Department of English Linguistics at Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
Inhaltsangabe
Preface to the Third Edition.
1. The Nature of Universal Grammar.
1.1. The Early Development of Universal Grammar Theory.
1.2. Relating 'Sounds' and 'Meanings'.
1.3. The Computational System.
1.4. Questions for Linguistics.
1.5. General Ideas of Language.
1.6. Linguistic Universals.
1.7. The Evidence for Universal Grammar Theory.
1.8. Conclusion.
2. Principles, Parameters and Language Acquisition.
2.1. Principles and Parameters.
2.2. Language Acquisition.
3. Structure in the Government/Binding model.
3.1. The Heart of the Government/Binding Model.
3.2. Modules, Principles and Parameters.
3.3. X-bar Theory in Government and Binding.
3.4. Theta Theory.
3.5. Control Theory and Null Subjects.
3.6. Further Developments in X-bar Theory.
3.7. Summary.
4. Movement in Government/Binding Theory.
4.1. An Overview of Movement.
4.2. Further Developments to the Theory of Movement.
4.3. Bounding, Barriers and Relativized Minimality.
4.4. Case Theory.
4.5. Binding Theory.
4.6. Beyond S-structure and the Empty Category Principle.
5. Chomskyan Approaches to Language Acquisition.
5.1. The Physical Basis for Universal Grammar.
5.2. A Language Learning Model.
5.3. The Innateness Hypothesis.
5.4. The Role of Universal Grammar in Learning.
5.5. Complete from the Beginning or Developing with Time?.
5.6. Issues in Parameter Setting.
5.7. Markedness and Language Development.
6. Second Language Acquisition and Universal Grammar.
6.1. The Purity of the Monolingual Argument.
6.2. Universal Bilingualism.
6.3. The Multi-competence View.
6.4. The Poverty-of-the-stimulus Argument and Second Language Acquisition.
6.5. Models and Metaphors.
6.6. Hypotheses of the Initial Second Language State.
6.7. The Final State of Second Language Acquisition.
7. Structure in the Minimalist Program.
7.1. From Government/Binding to the Minimalist Program.
