Syntax
A Minimalist Introduction

Concise, readable introduction to syntactic theory, mainly to Chomsky's minimalist programme.

Andrew Radford (Author)

9780521589147, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 10 July 1997

296 pages
24.7 x 17.5 x 2 cm, 0.586 kg

This textbook provides a concise, readable introduction to contemporary work in syntactic theory, particularly to key concepts of Chomsky's minimalist programme. Andrew Radford gives a general overview of the main theoretical concepts and descriptive devices used in 1990s work. The discussion is largely based on data from a range of varieties of English (not only Modern Standard, but also Belfast English, Shakespearean English, Jamaican Creole, etc.) and does not presuppose any prior knowledge of syntax. There are exercises and a substantial glossary. This is an abridged version of Radford's major textbook Syntactic Theory and the Structure of English: A Minimalist Approach, and will be welcomed as a short introduction to current syntactic theory.

Preface
1. Grammar
2. Categories
3. Structure
4. Empty categories
5. Head movement
6. Operator movement
7. Subjects
8. A movement
9. VP shells
10. Agreement projections
Glossary and list of abbreviations
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Grammar, syntax & morphology [CFK]