by Maggie Tallerman (Author)
Assuming no prior knowledge of linguistics, Understanding Syntax, Third Edition, explains and illustrates the major terms and concepts essential to the study of sentence structure in the world's languages. Word classes such as `noun', `verb' and `preposition' are introduced, and the properties of syntactic categories are discussed. Clause structure is explained and illustrated, helping the reader to distinguish between finite and non-finite clauses, root and subordinate clauses, with definitions of all technical terms. Constituent structure is introduced, including simple tree diagrams. Relationships within the clause, including case and agreement, are examined cross-linguistically. Grammatical constructions and processes that change grammatical relations are introduced and exemplified, with extensive illustration from English and many other languages.
This new edition has been updated and revised to meet the needs of today's students. Difficult points are given fuller explanation, references have been updated, and important skills are taught, such as how to read examples from languages other than English.
MAGGIE TALLERMAN is Professor of Linguistics, Newcastle University.
Series editors: BERNARD COMRIE, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, and GREVILLE CORBETT, University of Surrey.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 320
Edition: 3
Publisher: Hodder Education
Published: 30 Sep 2011
ISBN 10: 1444112058
ISBN 13: 9781444112054
'Tallerman's strongly comparative approach to introducing the basic concepts of syntax has materialised in a very readable and interesting book...Understanding Syntax is an absolute pleasure to read, thanks to its casual, down-to-earth style. It is user-friendly and accessible, and takes its readers seriously'