Radical Construction Grammar

Syntactic Theory in Typological Perspective

By: William Croft

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Hardcover | 25 October 2001

At a Glance

Hardcover
448 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
23.39 x 15.6 x 2.54

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This book is based on the results of research in language typology, and motivated by the need for a theory to explain them. The essence of the approach is (a) that almost all aspects of grammatical structure are language specific, and (b) that language universals are to be found in conceptual structure and in the mapping of conceptual structure on to linguistic form. It proposes intimate links between syntactic and semantic structures, and argues that the basic elements of any language are not syntactic but syntactic-semantic ''Gestalts''.Professor Croft puts forward a new approach to syntactic representation and a new model of how language and languages work. He covers a wide range of syntactic phenomena, illustrating these with examples that show the varied grammatical structures of the world''s languages. The book will be accessible all linguists at graduate level and beyond.

Industry Reviews

`Review from previous edition There is no doubt that this book is a landmark in linguistic theory. It is an outstanding work by a brilliant intellect in which Croft demonstrates the depth of his linguistic knowledge and above all vision. It will constitute a source of inspiration for much future linguistic theorizing.' Anna Siewierska, Professor of Linguistics, University of Lancaster `Radical Construction Grammar is an important work that is bound to elicit strong reactions, for it questions basic tenets of linguistic research. Croft argues persuasively that much research on universals suffers from methodological flaws: there are language universals, but linguists have been trying to characterize them at the wrong level of description . . . Because the arguments are presented in great detail and illustrated with fascinating examples, the book's controversial claims cannot be dismissed lightly. I look forward to the discussion it will provoke.' Tom Wasow, Professor of Linguistics and Philosophy, Stanford University `Croft's Radical Construction Grammar is a welcome contribution bearing on an issue of basic importance to linguistic theory: the nature and status of grammatical categories. His innovative examination of this question from a functionalist and typological perspective refocuses the debate in a fundamental way. It deserves to be seriously considered by all linguists regardless of their theoretical orientation.' Ronald W. Langacker, University of California, San Diego

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