Chomsky's Universal Grammar
An Introduction
3. Edition April 2007
336 Pages, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
ISBN:
978-1-4051-1186-7
John Wiley & Sons
The 3rd edition of Chomsky's Universal Grammar introduces the reader to Noam Chomsky's theory of language by setting the specifics of syntactic analysis in the framework of his general ideas.
* Updated and revised to include a broader range of issues and discussion topics
* Traces the development of Chomsky's thinking and of the Minimalist Program since 1995, providing a new picture of this current model of syntactic theory
* Introduces both the general concepts of the theory of Universal Grammar and the main areas of syntax such as X-bar theory, movement and government/binding theory
* Includes discussion topics, exercises, and suggestions for further readings in each chapter
Preface to the Third Edition.
1. The Nature of Universal Grammar.
1.1. The Early Development of Universal Grammar Theory.
1.2. Relating 'Sounds' and 'Meanings'.
1.3. The Computational System.
1.4. Questions for Linguistics.
1.5. General Ideas of Language.
1.6. Linguistic Universals.
1.7. The Evidence for Universal Grammar Theory.
1.8. Conclusion.
2. Principles, Parameters and Language Acquisition.
2.1. Principles and Parameters.
2.2. Language Acquisition.
3. Structure in the Government/Binding model.
3.1. The Heart of the Government/Binding Model.
3.2. Modules, Principles and Parameters.
3.3. X-bar Theory in Government and Binding.
3.4. Theta Theory.
3.5. Control Theory and Null Subjects.
3.6. Further Developments in X-bar Theory.
3.7. Summary.
4. Movement in Government/Binding Theory.
4.1. An Overview of Movement.
4.2. Further Developments to the Theory of Movement.
4.3. Bounding, Barriers and Relativized Minimality.
4.4. Case Theory.
4.5. Binding Theory.
4.6. Beyond S-structure and the Empty Category Principle.
5. Chomskyan Approaches to Language Acquisition.
5.1. The Physical Basis for Universal Grammar.
5.2. A Language Learning Model.
5.3. The Innateness Hypothesis.
5.4. The Role of Universal Grammar in Learning.
5.5. Complete from the Beginning or Developing with Time?.
5.6. Issues in Parameter Setting.
5.7. Markedness and Language Development.
6. Second Language Acquisition and Universal Grammar.
6.1. The Purity of the Monolingual Argument.
6.2. Universal Bilingualism.
6.3. The Multi-competence View.
6.4. The Poverty-of-the-stimulus Argument and Second Language
Acquisition.
6.5. Models and Metaphors.
6.6. Hypotheses of the Initial Second Language State.
6.7. The Final State of Second Language Acquisition.
7. Structure in the Minimalist Program.
7.1. From Government/Binding to the Minimalist Program.
7.2. Basic Minimalist Concepts.
7.3. Phrase Structure in the Minimalist Program.
7.4. Thematic Roles and Structural Positions.
7.5. Adjunction.
7.6. Linear Order.
8. Movement in the Minimalist Program.
8.1. Functional Heads and Projections.
8.2. The Motivation for Movement.
8.3. The Nature of Movement.
8.4. Overt and Covert Movement.
8.5. Properties of Movement.
8.6. Phases.
8.7. Conclusion.
References.
Index
1. The Nature of Universal Grammar.
1.1. The Early Development of Universal Grammar Theory.
1.2. Relating 'Sounds' and 'Meanings'.
1.3. The Computational System.
1.4. Questions for Linguistics.
1.5. General Ideas of Language.
1.6. Linguistic Universals.
1.7. The Evidence for Universal Grammar Theory.
1.8. Conclusion.
2. Principles, Parameters and Language Acquisition.
2.1. Principles and Parameters.
2.2. Language Acquisition.
3. Structure in the Government/Binding model.
3.1. The Heart of the Government/Binding Model.
3.2. Modules, Principles and Parameters.
3.3. X-bar Theory in Government and Binding.
3.4. Theta Theory.
3.5. Control Theory and Null Subjects.
3.6. Further Developments in X-bar Theory.
3.7. Summary.
4. Movement in Government/Binding Theory.
4.1. An Overview of Movement.
4.2. Further Developments to the Theory of Movement.
4.3. Bounding, Barriers and Relativized Minimality.
4.4. Case Theory.
4.5. Binding Theory.
4.6. Beyond S-structure and the Empty Category Principle.
5. Chomskyan Approaches to Language Acquisition.
5.1. The Physical Basis for Universal Grammar.
5.2. A Language Learning Model.
5.3. The Innateness Hypothesis.
5.4. The Role of Universal Grammar in Learning.
5.5. Complete from the Beginning or Developing with Time?.
5.6. Issues in Parameter Setting.
5.7. Markedness and Language Development.
6. Second Language Acquisition and Universal Grammar.
6.1. The Purity of the Monolingual Argument.
6.2. Universal Bilingualism.
6.3. The Multi-competence View.
6.4. The Poverty-of-the-stimulus Argument and Second Language
Acquisition.
6.5. Models and Metaphors.
6.6. Hypotheses of the Initial Second Language State.
6.7. The Final State of Second Language Acquisition.
7. Structure in the Minimalist Program.
7.1. From Government/Binding to the Minimalist Program.
7.2. Basic Minimalist Concepts.
7.3. Phrase Structure in the Minimalist Program.
7.4. Thematic Roles and Structural Positions.
7.5. Adjunction.
7.6. Linear Order.
8. Movement in the Minimalist Program.
8.1. Functional Heads and Projections.
8.2. The Motivation for Movement.
8.3. The Nature of Movement.
8.4. Overt and Covert Movement.
8.5. Properties of Movement.
8.6. Phases.
8.7. Conclusion.
References.
Index
"The authors have held to their promise of presenting a broad view
to a broad spectrum of potential readers." (Acta Linguistica
Hungarica. December 2008)
"Linguist, philosopher and political activist, Noam
Chomsky, has spent six decades developing his theory of Universal
Grammar, a concept now central to contemporary linguistics. The
authors provide a cogent, accessible introduction that situates the
still-evolving concept in the broader framework of Chomsky's
work." (Times Higher Education Supplement
"Cook and Newson's book is a theoretically sound and
didactically well-designed overview and analysis. It will be an
excellent textbook for any course on the sources and concerns of
current syntactic developments, especially because it does not shy
away from discussing problematic points and alternative
solutions."
-István Kenesei, University of Szeged
"The book is a masterly introduction to a complex body of
work. The new edition has been thoroughly rewritten to bring it up
to date with recent developments. For a clear and reliable guide to
Chomsky's linguistics, and its relevance to first and second
language acquisition, students need look no further."
-Raphael M. Salkie, University of Brighton
to a broad spectrum of potential readers." (Acta Linguistica
Hungarica. December 2008)
"Linguist, philosopher and political activist, Noam
Chomsky, has spent six decades developing his theory of Universal
Grammar, a concept now central to contemporary linguistics. The
authors provide a cogent, accessible introduction that situates the
still-evolving concept in the broader framework of Chomsky's
work." (Times Higher Education Supplement
"Cook and Newson's book is a theoretically sound and
didactically well-designed overview and analysis. It will be an
excellent textbook for any course on the sources and concerns of
current syntactic developments, especially because it does not shy
away from discussing problematic points and alternative
solutions."
-István Kenesei, University of Szeged
"The book is a masterly introduction to a complex body of
work. The new edition has been thoroughly rewritten to bring it up
to date with recent developments. For a clear and reliable guide to
Chomsky's linguistics, and its relevance to first and second
language acquisition, students need look no further."
-Raphael M. Salkie, University of Brighton
V. J. Cook is Professor of Applied Linguistics at the
University of Newcastle upon Tyne. He is author of numerous books,
including Accomodating Brocolli in the Cemetary: Or Why Can't
Anybody Spell? (2004) and The English Writing System
(2004).
Mark Newson is Reader in the Department of English
Linguistics at Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest,
Hungary.
University of Newcastle upon Tyne. He is author of numerous books,
including Accomodating Brocolli in the Cemetary: Or Why Can't
Anybody Spell? (2004) and The English Writing System
(2004).
Mark Newson is Reader in the Department of English
Linguistics at Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest,
Hungary.
