Language Form and Language Function

Newmeyer, Frederick J

ISBN 10: 0262140640 / ISBN 13: 9780262140645

Published by Bradford Book, Cambridge, 1998

About this Item

Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 428 p. Contains: Illustrations. Language, Speech, & Communication. Audience: General/trade. The two basic approaches to linguistics are the formalist and the functionalist approaches. In this engaging monograph, Frederick J. Newmeyer, a formalist, argues that both approaches are valid. However, because formal and functional linguists have avoided direct confrontation, they remain unaware of the compatability of their results. One of the author's goals is to make each side accessible to the other. While remaining an ardent formalist, Newmeyer stresses the limitations of a narrow formalist outlook that refuses to consider that anything of interest might have been discovered in the course of functionalist-oriented research. He argues that the basic principles of generative grammar, in interaction with principles in other linguistic domains, provide compelling accounts of phenomena that functionalists have used to try to refute the generative approach. Fine in fine dust jacket. excellent in excellent jacket, First Printing.

Seller Inventory # Alibris.0018451

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Language Form and Language Function
• Publisher: Bradford Book, Cambridge
• Publication Date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0262140640
• ISBN 13: 9780262140645
• Binding: Hard cover
• Edition: First edition.
• Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included

About this title

Synopsis

The two basic approaches to linguistics are the formalist and the functionalistapproaches. In this engaging monograph, Frederick J. Newmeyer, a formalist, argues that bothapproaches are valid. However, because formal and functional linguists have avoided directconfrontation, they remain unaware of the compatability of their results. One of the author's goalsis to make each side accessible to the other. While remaining an ardent formalist, Newmeyer stressesthe limitations of a narrow formalist outlook that refuses to consider that anything of interestmight have been discovered in the course of functionalist-oriented research. He argues that thebasic principles of generative grammar, in interaction with principles in other linguistic domains,provide compelling accounts of phenomena that functionalists have used to try to refute thegenerative approach.

Review

"Newmeyer is surely the most authoritative and fairest voice urgingformalist and functionalist linguists to attend to one another'swork. This book makes a strong case that the two sides do have thingsto say to one another, and I hope each will heed Newmeyer's injunctionto listen to the other." Stephen R. Anderson , Yale University