Empty Categories in Sentence Processing: 43 (Linguistik Aktuell/Linguistics Today) - Hardcover

Featherston, Sam

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 9027227640 ISBN 13: 9789027227645

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Co, 2001

Synopsis

This book reports a research program into one of the most controversial questions in the syntax ― processing interface: The behavior of the parser at gap positions. While the work done is largely experimental, the results are analyzed both for their relevance to sentence processing and for their implications for competing syntactic frameworks. In particular the differing predictions of PPT and HPSG for structures with dislocated constituents are tested for their empirical adequacy. The author addresses a broad range of questions about gap processing and uses a broad range of methodologies to cut through the confounds which prevent previous work providing clear answers. Wh-movement, scrambling, raising, and equi structures are all addressed, and all current accounts of the experimental evidence evaluated. The results move the debate forward significantly, and provide clear confirmation of some non-trivial claims of generative grammar.

About this title

Synopsis

Part of the "Linguistics Today" series which provides a platform for original monograph studies into synchronic linguistics, this work examines the subject of empty categories in sentence processing. It covers such topics as the positions of ECs in the theory and the structure of German clauses.

Edition details

• Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Co
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9027227640
• ISBN 13: 9789027227645
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 293