The Development of Chomskyan Generative Grammar: From the Standard Theory to the Minimalist Program

This book explores the major theories of generative grammar from a historical perspective, providing an overview of the evolution of this linguistic framework.

Generative grammar is widely recognized for its major contributions to the study of theoretical linguistics in the twentieth century and has had a profound impact on the fields of linguistics, psychology, computer science, and cognitive science. This book consists of eight chapters that trace the development of generative grammar from its beginnings to its current focus on minimalism. The first chapter outlines the major stages of generative grammar, namely Classical Theory, Standard Theory, Extended Standard Theory, Revised Extended Standard Theory, Government and Binding Theory, and the Minimalist Program. The second chapter reviews the development of the C‑command relation and illustrates its use in syntactic analysis. Each of the following six chapters focuses on a specific area of generative grammar, including phrase structure, movement, Case, argument structure, binding, and raising and control.

The volume will be an invaluable resource for researchers, teachers, and students in the fields of generative grammar, syntax, formal linguistics, and the social and cognitive sciences.

Mei Deming has a PhD in Linguistics, and is Professor of Linguistics and Applied Linguistics at Shanghai International Studies University, China. His research fields include formal syntax, philosophy of language, policy studies in foreign language education, English curriculum design, textbook development and assessment, translation and interpretation studies.

Tong Helong is Professor of Linguistics in the College of Foreign Languages, Shanghai Maritime University, China. His current research revolves around formal syntax, syntax‑semantics interface, comparative syntax, applied linguistics, and translation studies.