A Performance Theory of Order and Constituency

by John A. Hawkins

Overview

In this major new book, John A. Hawkins presents a new theory of linear ordering in syntax. He argues that processing can provide a simple, functional explanation for syntactic rules of ordering, as well as for the selection among ordering variants in languages and structures in which variation is possible. Insights from generative syntax, typological studies of language universals, and psycholinguistic studies of language processing are combined to show that there is a profound correspondence between performance and grammar.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521378673
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/27/1995
Series:	Cambridge Studies in Linguistics , #73
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	520
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 8.98(h) x 1.14(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Introduction; 2. The grammaticalisation of processing principles; 3. Early Immediate Constituents; 4. Testing EIC's performance predictions; 5. Testing EIC's grammatical predictions; 6. Grammaticalised node construction; 7. Conclusions; References; Index of names; Language index; Subject index; Abbreviations.