Overview

Modular grammar postulates several autonomous generative systems interacting with one another as opposed to the prevailing theory of transformational grammar where there is a single generative component – the syntax – from which other representations are derived. In this book Jerrold Sadock develops his influential theory of grammar, formalizing several generative modules that independently characterize the levels of syntax, semantics, role structure, morphology and linear order, as well as an interface system that connects them. Multi-modular grammar provides simpler, more intuitive analyses of grammatical phenomena and allows for greater empirical coverage than prevailing styles of grammar. The book illustrates this with a wide-ranging analysis of English grammatical phenomena, including raising, control, passive, inversion, do-support, auxiliary verbs and ellipsis. The modules are simple enough to be cast as phrase structure grammars and are presented in sufficient detail to make descriptions of grammatical phenomena more explicit than the approximate accounts offered in other studies.

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9780511997587

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Reviews

'In this original and creative work, Sadock addresses one of the most fundamental issues in theoretical linguistics, the relationship among the different modules of grammar. He challenges established generative theory by introducing an elegant and well motivated non-derivational model of linguistic organization.' Jan Terje Faarlund, University of Oslo 'Simply and clearly, Jerrold Sadock presents a new formulation of his idea that grammar is specified by a handful of completely autonomous, parallel modules, demonstrating it with stimulating accounts of major features of English.' Tony Woodbury, University of Texas

Author Information

Jerrold M. Sadock is Glen A. Lloyd Distinguished Service Professor, Emeritus in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Chicago.

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