Principles of Diachronic Syntax

Lightfoot, David W

ISBN 10: 0521220823 / ISBN 13: 9780521220828

Published by Cambridge University Press, 1979

About this Item

Ink text marks on 4 pages; light wear to jacket; inscribed by author; Cambridge Studies in Linguistics; 432 pages; Signed by Author. Seller Inventory # 47212

Bibliographic Details

Title: Principles of Diachronic Syntax

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Publication Date: 1979

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Very Good

Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good

Signed: Signed by Author(s)

About this title

Synopsis:

The study of syntactic change has been much neglected in the past. Historical linguists have tended to concentrate on phonology, lexis and morphology whilst most theoretical studies of syntax have been deliberately synchronic in intention. In particular, theories of generative grammar have not been responsive to diachronic data and a fortiori have not yielded a convincing account of language change or of the interrelationships between different kinds of change. This study will be of interest to a wide range of linguists. It offers one of the first systematic accounts of a difficult and important topic, with implications for the whole field of linguistics and language study.

Book Description:

The study of syntactic change has been much neglected in the past. Historical linguists have tended to concentrate on phonology, lexis and morphology whilst most theoretical studies of syntax have been deliberately synchronic in intention.