Syntax: A functional-typological introduction. Volume II - Softcover

Givón, T.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9027220700 ISBN 13: 9789027220707

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 1991

Synopsis

The long-awaited second volume of the two-volume work on syntax from a functional-typological perspective. Grammar is viewed as a non-arbitrary language-processing device, to be understood in terms of the various substantive parameters relevant to language: Communicative function, cognitive processing, socio-culture and neuro-biology. Distortions in this complex yet highly iconic code are due to conflicting functional requirements, most commonly introduced into the code through the course of diachronic change. Cross-linguistic variation within each functional domain is highly constrained, and yields a coherent typology of the most natural ways the same communicative function can be performed. The volume covers the syntax of complex clauses, and is organized according to the following plan: Chapter 12: “Noun phrases” Chapter 13: “Verbal complements” Chapter 14: “Voice and de-transitivization” Chapter 15: “Relative clauses” Chapter 16: “Contrastive focus constructions” Chapter 17: “Marked topic constructions” Chapter 18: “Non-declarative speech acts” Chapter 19: “The grammar of interclausal coherence” Chapter 20: “The grammar of referential coherence as mental processing instructions” Chapter 21: “Markedness and iconicity in syntax”.

About this title

Synopsis

This two-volume work on syntax views grammar as a non-arbitrary language-processing device, to be understood in terms of the various substantive parameters relevant to language: communicative function, cognitive processing, socio-culture and neuro-biology. Distortions in this complex yet highly iconic code are due to conflicting functional requirements, most commonly introduced into the code through the course of diachronic change. Cross-linguistic variation within each functional domain is highly constrained and yields a coherent typology of the most natural ways the same communicative functions can be performed.

Edition details

• Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Company
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9027220700
• ISBN 13: 9789027220707
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 580