Formalism and Functionalism in Linguistics | The Engineer and the Collector

Margaret Thomas

ISBN 10: 0367787849 / ISBN 13: 9780367787844

Published by Routledge, 2021

Formalism and Functionalism in Linguistics | The Engineer and the Collector | Margaret Thomas | Taschenbuch | Einband - flex.(Paperback) | Englisch | 2021 | Routledge | EAN 9780367787844 | Verantwortliche Person für die EU: Libri GmbH, Europaallee 1, 36244 Bad Hersfeld, gpsr[at]libri[dot]de | Anbieter: preigu. Seller Inventory # 128398101

Synopsis:

This volume is a concise introduction to the lively ongoing debate between formalist and functionalist approaches to the study of language. The book grounds its comparisons between the two in both historical and contemporary contexts where, broadly speaking, formalists’ focus on structural relationships and idealized linguistic data contrasts with functionalists’ commitment to analyzing real language used as a communicative tool. The book highlights key sub-varieties, proponents, and critiques of each respective approach. It concludes by comparing formalist versus functionalist contributions in three domains of linguistic research: in the analysis of specific grammatical constructions; in the study of language acquisition; and in interdisciplinary research on the origins of language. Taken together, the volume opens insight into an important tension in linguistic theory, and provides students and scholars with a more nuanced understanding of the structure of the discipline of modern linguistics.

About the Author:

Margaret Thomas is Professor of Linguistics in the Department of Slavic and Eastern Languages and Literatures at Boston College, USA.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Formalism and Functionalism in Linguistics |...
Publisher: Routledge
Publication Date: 2021
Binding: Taschenbuch
Condition: Neu