Arguments in Syntax and Semantics

A guide to the relations between a predicate and its arguments, for researchers and advanced students in linguistics.

Alexander Williams (Author)

9780521190961, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 29 January 2015

396 pages, 95 exercises
21.6 x 14.7 x 2.5 cm, 0.58 kg

'One of those rare books that will be of use both to the beginner and the specialist. It is a friendly guide through the difficult terrain of argument structure. Much more than a survey, it addresses foundational and current issues in the syntax and semantics of argument structure in an exemplarily clear-headed and even-handed way.' Rajesh Bhatt, University of Massachusetts

Argument structure - the pattern of underlying relations between a predicate and its dependents - is at the base of syntactic theory and the theory of the interface with semantics. This comprehensive guide explores the motives for thematic and event-structural decomposition, and its relation to structure in syntax. It also discusses broad patterns in the linking of syntactic to semantic relations, and includes insightful case studies on passive and resultative constructions. Semantically explicit and syntactically impartial, with a careful, interrogative approach, Williams clarifies notions of argument within both lexicalist and nonlexicalist approaches. Ideal for students and researchers in syntactic and semantic theory, this introduction includes: • A comprehensive overview of arguments in syntax and semantics • Discussion questions and suggestions for further reading • A glossary with helpful definitions of key terms.

Abbreviations
Introduction
Part I. Background: 1. Syntax
2. Semantics
Part II. Kinds of Arguments: 3. Arguments in syntax
4. Arguments in semantics
5. Implicit arguments
Part III. Analysis of Argument Relations: 6. Thematic relations
7. Agent and patient
8. Role iteration
9. Separation
10. Event structure
11. Linking and framing
Part IV. Case Studies: 12. Passives
13. Resultatives
Glossary
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Grammar, syntax & morphology [CFK], Semantics, discourse analysis, etc [CFG], Linguistics [CF]