Research Catalog

Details

Description

1. xii, 458 pages; 24 cm.

Summary

1. "This study explains why languages vary the way they do in the domain of adjectival modification in French as contrasted with other Indo-European languages (English, Celtic, Walloon, Romanian, Italian). Rejecting previous well-known analyses in terms of syntactic movement to various functional heads, the author proposes a model in which external properties of interfaces are the foundations from which the variation is derived. Limiting severely the technical apparatus of syntax, the author argues that the properties of Number at the interfaces are shown to provide a simple and precise solution for longstanding problems of compositionality raised by adjectival modification. There is also a unified analysis of the many other properties involved
2. The model provides a principled explanation of the variation concerning nominals without determiners (Bare NPs) and determiners without nominals (clitics)." "Linguists, psychologists, computer scientists and philosophers alike will find this work of interest."--Jacket

Series statement

1. North-Holland linguistic series, 0078-1592 ; v. 61

Uniform title

1. North-Holland linguistic series ; 61.

Subject

1. Grammar, Comparative and general > Adjective
2. Grammar, Comparative and general > Noun phrase
3. Language and languages > Variation
4. Explanation (Linguistics)
5. Adjektiv
6. Französisch
7. Indogermanische Sprachen
8. Nominalphrase
9. Variation
10. Wortstellung
11. Sprachtypologie
12. Kontrastive Syntax
13. Generative Transformationsgrammatik
14. Modifikator
15. Bijvoeglijke naamwoorden
16. Frans
17. Vergelijkende taalwetenschap
18. Indogermanische Sprachen

Contents

1. Ch. 1. Adjectives, Interfaces, and Explanation. 1. Adjectival Modification. 2. Explaning Adjectival Modification. 3. Explanation in Linguistics: The Role of Interfaces -- Ch. 2. Adjectival Modification in French. 1. A Strictly Compositional Analysis of Adjectival Modification. 2. Basic Phenomena. 3. Factors Favoring Pre-N or Post-N Placement of ADJs. 4. Conclusion -- Ch. 3. Crosslinguistic Variation in Adjectival Modification. 1. The Causes of Variation. 2. A Comparison with English. 3. A Brief Look at Other Languages. 4. Evidence from Codeswitching. 5. Conclusion -- Ch. 4. The Omission of N. 1. Expressions Including Partitivity. 2. Classifying ADJs. 3. Lone Determiners. 4. Conclusion -- Ch. 5. The Omission of DET.

Owning institution

1. Princeton University Library

Bibliography (note)

1. Includes bibliographical references (p. 433-458).