Understanding Syntax 2nd Edition (Understanding Language) - Softcover

Tallerman, Maggie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0340810327 ISBN 13: 9780340810323

Publisher: Routledge, 2005

Synopsis

Assuming no prior knowledge of linguistics, it discusses and illustrates all the major terms and concepts essential to the study of sentence structure in the world's languages. 'Noun' and 'verb' are explained, and the properties of these categories are discussed. The reader discovers what a finite verb is, what 'first person singular' means and what relative clauses look like. Concepts such as 'subject', 'object', 'gender', 'case', and 'subordination' are introduced and exemplified. Initial illustration is from English, with extensive additional material from several other languages. 'Exotic' constructions not found in related European languages are fully covered, so that verb serialization, ergative languages and head-marking languages are all included.

This new edition has been updated and revised to meet the needs of today's students. Difficult points are given fuller explanation, a glossary of technical terms is included, and additional exercises have been introduced to enable students to consolidate what they have learnt.

About this title

Review:

'Tallerman's strongly comparative approach to introducing the basic concepts of syntax has materialised in a very readable and interesting book...Understanding Syntax is an absolute pleasure to read, thanks to its casual, down-to-earth style. It is user-friendly and accessible, and takes its readers seriously'

Glot International

'Tallerman's Understanding Syntax, now in its third, revised, expanded and
improved edition, is ...a very accessible, step-by-step introduction to the scientific
study of syntax, which not only presents the major concepts and categories
associated with this branch of linguistics but also addresses some more advanced
issues...'
LINGUIST List (23.1781)

About the Author:

Maggie Tallerman is Professor of Linguistics at the University of Newcastle, UK.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0340810327
• ISBN 13: 9780340810323
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 286