17.2778, Books: Linguistic Theories: Newmeyer

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LINGUIST List: Vol-17-2778. Wed Sep 27 2006. ISSN: 1068 - 4875.

Subject: 17.2778, Books: Linguistic Theories: Newmeyer

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1)
Date: 26-Sep-2006
From: Jared Wright < jared.wright at oup.com >
Subject: Possible and Probable Languages: Newmeyer 

	
-------------------------Message 1 ---------------------------------- 
Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2006 08:48:53
From: Jared Wright < jared.wright at oup.com >
Subject: Possible and Probable Languages: Newmeyer 
 



Title: Possible and Probable Languages 
Subtitle: A Generative Perspective on Linguistic Typology 
Publication Year: 2005 
Publisher: Oxford University Press
	   http://www.oup.com/us
	
Author: Frederick J Newmeyer

Hardback: ISBN: 0199274339 Pages: 288 Price: U.K. £ 60.00
Paperback: ISBN: 0199274347 Pages: 288 Price: U.K. £ 22.99


Abstract:

In this important and pioneering book Frederick Newmeyer takes on the question of language variety. He considers why some language types are impossible and why some grammatical features are more common than others. The task of trying to explain typological variation among languages has been mainly undertaken by functionally-oriented linguists. Generative grammarians entering the field of typology in the 1980s put forward the idea that cross-linguistic differences could be explained by linguistic parameters within Universal Grammar, whose operation might vary from language to language. Unfortunately, this way of looking at variation turned out to be much less successful than had been hoped for. Professor Newmeyer's alternative to parameters combines leading ideas from functionalist and formalist approaches which in the past have been considered incompatible. He throws fresh light on language typology and variation, and provides new insights into the principles of Universal
The book is written in a clear, readable style and will be readily understood by anyone with a couple of years' study of linguistics. It will interest a wide range of scholars and students of language, including typologists, historical linguists, and theorists of every shade.

Readership: Linguists and those in other fields with a strong intrest in linguistic theory (psychologists, philosophers, and those with a general interest in cognitive science)

Contents
1. On the Possible and the Probable in Language
2. Parameterized Principles
3. Parameters, Performance, and the Explanation of Typological Generalizations
4. In Defense of the Saussurean View of Grammar
5. The Locus of Functional Explanation
Afterword
References
Author Index
Subject Index 



Linguistic Field(s): Linguistic Theories


Written In: English  (eng)
	
See this book announcement on our website: 
http://linguistlist.org/get-book.html?BookID=21497


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