1st Edition

The Development of Chomskyan Generative Grammar From the Standard Theory to the Minimalist Program

Edited By Mei Deming, Tong Helong Copyright 2024
    288 Pages 15 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    This book explores the major theories of generative grammar from a historical perspective, providing an overview and tracing the evolution of this linguistic framework.

    Generative grammar is widely recognized for its major contributions to the study of theoretical linguistics in the 20th century and has had a profound impact on the fields of linguistics, psychology, computer science, and cognitive science. This book consists of eight chapters that trace the development of generative grammar from its beginnings to its current focus on minimalism. The first chapter outlines the major stages of generative grammar, namely classical theory, standard theory, extended standard theory, revised extended standard theory, government and binding theory, and the minimalist program. The second chapter reviews the development of the C command and illustrates its use in syntactic analysis. Each of the following six chapters focuses on a specific area of generative grammar, including phrase structure theory, movement theory, Case theory, argument structure theory, binding theory, and raising and control.

    The title will be an invaluable resource for researchers, teachers, and students in the fields of generative grammar, syntax, formal linguistics, and the social and cognitive sciences.

    1. The Development of the Architecture of Grammar  2. The Development of C-command and Related Concepts  3. The Development of Phrase Structure  4. The Development of Movement Theory  5. The Development of Case Theory  6. The Development of the Theory of Argument Structure  7. The Development of Binding Theory  8. The Development of Raising and Control

    Biography

    Mei Deming is PhD in linguistics, professor of linguistics and applied linguistics at Shanghai International Studies University, China. His research fields include formal syntax, philosophy of language, policy studies in foreign language education, English curriculum design, textbook development and assessment, translation and interpretation studies.

    Tong Helong is Professor of Linguistics at the College of Foreign Languages, Shanghai Maritime University, China. His current research revolves around formal syntax, syntax-semantics interface, comparative syntax, applied linguistics, and translation studies.