Grammar as Science(English, Paperback, Larson Richard K.)
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Grammar as Science offers an introduction to syntax as an exercise in scientific theory construction. It covers such core topics in syntax as phrase structure, constituency, the lexicon, inaudible elements, movement rules, and transformational constraints, while emphasizing scientific reasoning skills. The individual units are organized thematically into sections that highlight important components of this enterprise, including choosing between theories, constructing explicit arguments for hypotheses, and the conflicting demands that push us toward expanding the technical toolkit on the one hand and constraining it on the other. This book is constructed as a “laboratory science” course in which students actively experiment with linguistic data. It is intended for students majoring in linguistics as well as nonlinguistics majors who are taking the course to fulfill academic requirements. “Grammar as Science is an excellent textbook for an introductory syntax course, serving both intended linguistics majors and the general education population equally well. There isn’t anything quite like it in the market. If I ever use a textbook, I would use this one.” Table of Contents Preface for Teachers Acknowledgements Part I Setting Out Unit 1 What Is Linguistics? Unit 2 What Is Syntax About? Part II Grammars as Theories Unit 3 Introducing Phrase Structure Rules Unit 4 Grammars Unit 5 Working with Grammars Part III Choosing between Theories Unit 6 Comparing Rules and Theories Unit 7 Constituency and Constituency Tests Unit 8 Trees and Tree Relations Unit 9 Determining Category Unit 10 Revising, Refining, and Reconsidering Part IV Arguing for a Theory Unit 11 Constructing Arguments I Unit 12 Constructing Arguments II Part V Searching for Explanation Unit 13 Introducing the Lexicon Unit 14 Features, Heads, and Phrases Unit 15 Verbal Complements and Adjuncts Unit 16 Distinguishing Complements and Adjuncts Unit 17 Attaching Complements Unit 18 Attaching Adjuncts Part VI Following the Consequences Unit 19 Complements Sentences I Unit 20 Complements Sentences II Unit 21 Invisible Lexical Items Unit 22 NP Structure Unit 23 X-Bar Theory Part VII Expanding and Constraining the Theory Unit 24 Interrogatives and Movement Unit 25 More on Wh-Movement Unit 26 Constraints on Movement I Unit 27 Constraints on Movement II Unit 28 Parametric Variation Exercises References Index