Language Form and Language Function (Language, Speech, and Communication) - Hardcover

Newmeyer, Frederick J.

  • 4.22 out of 5 stars
    9 ratings by Goodreads
 
9780262140645: Language Form and Language Function (Language, Speech, and Communication)

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.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author

Frederick J. Newmeyer is Chair of the Department of Linguistics, University of Washington.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780262640442: Language Form and Language Function (Language, Speech, and Communication)

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  0262640449 ISBN 13:  9780262640442
Publisher: MIT Press, 2000
Softcover