Transformational Grammar: A First Course (Cambridge Textbooks in Linguistics) - Softcover

Radford, Andrew

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521347505 ISBN 13: 9780521347501

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1988

Synopsis

Radford's new textbook is primarily for students with little or no background in syntax who need a lively and up-to-date introduction to contemporary work on transformational grammar. It covers four main topics: the goals of linguistic theory, syntactic structure, the nature and role of the lexicon, and the function and operations of transformations. The general framework considers major works, such as Chomsky's Knowledge of Language and Barriers , written since the publication of Radford's widely acclaimed Transformational Syntax in 1981. The present book uses a more recent theoretical construction and also covers a wider range of frameworks at the descriptive level than its predecessor. Radford is well known for his effective teaching approaches and this current volume demonstrates his talent by giving a concise, non-technical introduction to the field. At each chapter's end are exercises that reinforce the text, allowing students to apply the various concepts discussed and encouraging them to look more critically at some of the assumptions and analyses presented. Radford provides a useful, detailed bibliography of primary source material.

About this title

Book Description

Intended primarily for students lacking background in syntax, this introduction covers the goals of linguistic theory, syntactic structure, the nature and role of the lexicon, and the function and operations of transformations.

Review

"...it desrves full recognition for its clarity and excellent layout. ...this appears to be one of the pedagogically soundest introductions to transformational grammer on the market, and we can but recommend it." The Journal of Indo-European Studies

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1988
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521347505
• ISBN 13: 9780521347501
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 640