Aims and objectives
This module provides an introduction to syntactic theory. Syntax is one of the core areas of linguistics, and provides the backdrop to some of the more controversial debates in linguistics, such as the debate on the role of innate knowledge in language acquisition. This module will therefore be useful regardless of which area of linguistics you intend to specialise in. The course is based on the
Principles and Parameters theory, although the concepts covered are important in most current frameworks.
Syllabus
Week 1
- Lecture 1 (Monday 20th September): The basics of syntax
- Lecture 2 (Friday 24th September): Lexical entries and sentence structure
- Reading: Haegeman, Sections 1-4 of Chapter 1 (pp.33–55)
- Slides
- Handout: 2up 6up
- Tutorial
Week 2
- Lecture 3 (Monday 27th September): The structure of verb phrases
- Reading: Cook and Newson, first half of Chapter 4 (pp.133–147)
- Slides
- Handout: 2up 6up
- Lecture 4 (Friday 1st October): Noun phrases and X' theory
- Reading: Carnie, Chapter 5 (pp.105–138)
- Slides
- Handout: 2up 6up
- Tutorial
Week 3
- Lecture 5 (Monday 4th October): Functional structure of simple
clauses
Week 4
- Lecture 7 (Monday 11th October): Case
- Lecture 8 (Friday 15th October):The Theta-criterion and the Case filter
- Tutorial
Week 5
- Lecture 9 (Monday 18th October): Passives
- Lecture 10 (Friday 22nd October):Raising
- Reading: Chapter 7 ("Raising versus control") from an earlier version of Santorini and Kroch. This isn't available from Santorini's website, but copies are available in the filing cabinet in DSB G.01 and via WebCT.
- Slides
- Handout: 2up 6up
- Tutorial
Week 6
- Lecture 11 (Monday 25th October): A quick look at wh-movement
- Lecture 12 (Friday 29th October): Universal Grammar
- Tutorial
Tutorials
Tutorials in weeks 1–6 will be shared between the syntax and semantics course components. It is very important that you go to the tutorials and do the tutorial exercises: the only way to really understand a syntactic theory is to use it.
Assessment
Material from this module will be examined by:
- A data analysis exercise, due on Monday 8th November (Week 8). This exercise will be marked by Monday 29th November (Week 11).
- Examination in the exam period at the end of Semester 1 — exact date to be confirmed.
See the Linguistics 2 course booklet for details.
Reading
The main textbook for the course is Beatrice Santorini & Tony Kroch's on-line textbook "The syntax of natural language". The readings from this book can be obtained on-line, via the links above and below, via WebCT, or from Beatrice Santorini's homepage.
Other books you may require are listed below. These can be obtained from the Main Library in George Square, or by photocopying (and returning) the copy in the class folder in DSB G.01.
- Carnie, A. (2002) Syntax: A Generative Introduction. Oxford: Blackwell
- Cook, V. J. & Newson, M. (1996) Chomsky's Universal Grammar: An Introduction. Second Edition. Oxford: Blackwell (only one copy in library — go to WebCT or class folder in DSB G.01 to get the relevant chapter)
- Haegeman, L. (1994) Introduction to Government & Binding Theory. Second Edition. Oxford: Blackwell
- Hurford, J. R. (1994) Grammar: A Student's Guide. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (For explanation of basic grammatical terms)
- Jackendoff, R. (2002) Foundations of Language: Brain, Meaning, Grammar, Evolution. Oxford: Oxford University Press (very limited numbers in library — go to WebCT or class folder in DSB G.01 to get the relevant chapter. The text can also be accessed via Oxford Scholarship Online — there's a link from the library catalogue)