Syntax: A Minimalist Introduction

by Andrew Radford

Book Overview

This textbook is a concise, readable introduction to current work in syntactic theory, particularly to Chomsky's Minimalist program. It gives an overview of theoretical concepts and descriptive devices. The discussion is based on varieties of English (Modern Standard, Belfast, Shakespearean, Jamaican Creole) and does not assume prior knowledge of syntax. There are exercises and a glossary. It is an abridged version of Radford's major new textbook...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521589142
• ISBN13: 9780521589147
• Release Date: August 1997
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 296 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.7" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

A Good Textbook to Learn the Minimalist Program

Radford is well known for his comprehensible textbooks of generative syntax. This book is very helpful for beginners to get access to Chomsky's revolutionary ideas in his minimalist program (MP), which is radically different from his previous versions of grammar. What is the particular of this book is that the reader does not need to learn Chomsky's arguments starting from his early works. The book leads the reader to the MP in a straightforward way. The book first reviews Chomksy's philosophy of language, and then demonstrates the operation of the principles and parameters in the framework by using the examples which can explain our intuition of English. To reduce the burden of the reader, as he did in his other books, the author uses vivid analogies to illustrate some critical concepts. There are also excises attached to each chaper. Besides, the book includes a glossary of the terms which appear in the book. If you want to learn about the MP or to read Chomksy's latest works, or if you want to find a textbook for your students in the course of generative syntax, this book,I believe, as a warm-up candidate, should be under your consideration.