Кто читает:: Школа лингвистики

Статус:: Курс по выбору

Когда читается:: 4-й курс, 1, 2 модуль

Преподаватель

Волкова Анна Алексеевна

Full Syllabus

Abstract

The Formal Syntax course provides an introduction to the formal study of the natural language syntax. Since the 1950s, syntactic theory has been the cornerstone of theoretical linguistics, especially within the “generative” tradition. Hierarchical syntactic structures have proven useful in analyzing various linguistic phenomena, ranging from sentence prosody to pronominal reference. In class, we will go through the major advances of modern syntactic theory and evaluate its potential and limitations. We start from the basics of the Principles and Parameters model (Chomsky 1981, 1986) and then move to the minimalist syntactic theory (Chomsky 1993 and subsequent work). The enrolled students will have access to contemporary research articles (with the focus on Russian) so that they can get used to the style of argumentation as well as to the use of different syntactic formalisms. We will pay particular attention to the explanatory power of formal syntax and the applicability of its methodology to the study of typologically diverse languages. In the best-case scenario, by the end of the course, students should be able to read and critically assess current syntactic literature, as well as apply their knowledge to various research problems in both theoretical and computational linguistics.

Learning Objectives

to introduce students to theoretical apparatus, key notions, and main principles of formal generative linguistics
to introduce students to the logic of formal hypothesizing in the light of language data
to introduce students to methodological aspects of formal linguistics
to introduce students to critical thinking and reasoning within formal linguistics

Expected Learning Outcomes

understands the principles of language research within formal generative linguistics
understands the mainconcepts and terms of the Minimalist Program (Chomsky 1995 and subsequent work)
reads and critically assesses current syntactic literature
makes empirical observations and theoretical generalizations (in English)
applies their knowledge of the essentials of formal syntax to various research problems in both theoretical and computational linguistics

Course Contents

Introduction
Course outline. The main assumptions of generative grammar.
Constituency, trees, and rules
Structural relations.
X-bar theory
Extending X-bar theory to functional categories. Theta-theory.
Binding Theory
Anaphors, pronominals and binding domains.
Movement
Head-to-head movement, wh-movement, DP movement.
Raising & control
Control Theory.
Ergativity
Unaccusative predicates.
A unified theory of movement
Agreement.
Split projections
Ellipsis.
Minimalism
Phases.

Assessment Elements

test 1
test 2
test 3
test 4
written home assignment 1
Answers to HA should be submitted within a week after they were assigned (i.e. before the beginning of the next class). The deadline is hard, answers submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
written home assignment 2
Answers to HA should be submitted within a week after they were assigned (i.e. before the beginning of the next class). The deadline is hard, answers submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
written home assignment 3
Answers to HA should be submitted within a week after they were assigned (i.e. before the beginning of the next class). The deadline is hard, answers submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
written home assignment 4
Answers to HA should be submitted within a week after they were assigned (i.e. before the beginning of the next class). The deadline is hard, answers submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
экзамен (final presentation)
discussion

Interim Assessment

Interim assessment (2 module)
0.1 * discussion + 0.05 * test 1 + 0.05 * test 2 + 0.05 * test 3 + 0.05 * test 4 + 0.1 * written home assignment 1 + 0.1 * written home assignment 2 + 0.1 * written home assignment 3 + 0.1 * written home assignment 4 + 0.3 * экзамен (final presentation)

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Carnie, A. (2012). Syntax : A Generative Introduction (Vol. 3rd ed). Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=531592

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Introducing Syntax. (2017). Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsnar&AN=edsnar.oai.repository.ubn.ru.nl.2066.170565

Бакалаврская программа «Фундаментальная и компьютерная лингвистика»

Formal Syntax