1. Parameters of syntactic theories
2. Alternative analyses of syntactic structures
3. Alternative analyses of symbolic correspondence relations:
coordination
4. Alternative analyses of symbol correspondence relations:
grammatical functions
5. Alternative analyses of syntactic variation and change
6. Four current approaches to syntax
7. Where do conflicts come from?
Appendix: Parallel data from six languages
Dr Edith A. Moravcsik is Professor of Foreign Language and Linguistics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Why are there so many theories of syntax? How is it that some
scholars talk about syntax in ways that just don't register with
us? Edith Moravcsik starts from what is required of theory in any
domain of inquiry, and considers how these requirements are met, to
differing degrees, by various theories of syntax. She shows how
mismatches arise, within syntax and in its relations to other
modules, and how they are resolved. This book thus offers great
insight into why other linguists think the way they do about
syntax. It is even more useful for helping us as readers to
understand why we do syntax the way we do." Greville G. Corbett,
Distinguished Professor of Linguistics, University of Surrey
"...very much more than basic linguistic knowledge is necessary to
understand the point of many of the discussions in this book. In
our view, there is no point in discussing the strength or weakness
of any modelised explanation in an introductory textbook without
introducing all of the assumptions leading to these explanations.
Unfortunately, this occurs numerous times in the book under
review...Another point of criticism is the state of the art of some
of the theories introduced. Especially the generative model is
often introduced in its old fashioned shape, taking syntactic
transformations as assumptions that are still made...Minor
weaknesses we found are insufficient explanations in the glossary
(What does ‘otherwise dominant' mean w.r.t. the explanation of a
processor (p.244)?...There are also a few cases of poor
representation of linguistic data...It is rather that it may not be
quite reasonable to present this idea to beginners without
sufficient preparation."- Peter Öhl, Studies in Language, September
2008
*Peter Öhl*
"...many of her [Moravcsik's] discussions are quite interesting to
read, and many of the points she makes are important contributions
to the thinking about linguistic theory. The most important
contribution, however, in our view, is that there is no theory that
can explain everything, and there is nothing that can be explained
by one theory alone."- Peter Öhl, Studies in Language, September
2008
*Peter Öhl*
"It is a brave attempt to write a textbook in a theory-neutral
framework and to illuminate abstract concepts of syntax by using
examples from everyday life. However, a style which combines in one
chapter an enigmatic quotation from Niels Bohr at the start but
later draws an analogy between syntactic precedence and main course
and dessert during a meal is not to my taste, and I tend to feel
the intended audience of the book might agree. Although many
syntactic facts are brought together in interesting and
illuminating ways, they are somewhat diluted by a mass of
information unrelated to syntax...I would not use this book as a
primary text for introductory syntax at university level. On the
other hand, the chapter summaries are tightly focused on syntax and
I would expect students to find them helpful as concise reviews of
basic concepts."- Manuela Schönenberger, Studies in Language,
September 2008
*Manuela Schönenberger*
"How refreshing to find a textbook on syntax that strives not only
for theoretical neutrality but also to educate its readers on the
reasons for divergence of opinion in the literature ... The fact
that Moravcsik cites a wide range of typologically distinct
languages means this textbook is to be vastly preferred over those
with a more Anglocentric focus. A welcome addition to any
reading list." Dr Deborah L. Anderson, Affiliated Lecturer Dept. of
Linguistics, University of Cambridge, UK
[The] book is incredibly well organized, obviously the product of a
very tidy mind. Each chapter opens with a chart of the numbered
content and its pagination, in slightly greater detail than the
listing of chapter contents in the introductory material. Then,
before the chapter begins, there is an ingenious and intriguing
quote that is fundamentally relevant to what is to come ([the] book
is worth browsing just to digest these quotes!). Each chapter also
ends with a relevant and welcome conclusion, followed by the notes
and some exercises for the students when used as a course book.
*The Canadian Journal of Linguistics*
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