Бакалавриат
2019/2020
Формальный синтаксис
Лучший по критерию «Полезность курса для Вашей будущей карьеры»
Статус:
Курс по выбору (Фундаментальная и компьютерная лингвистика)
Направление:
45.03.03. Фундаментальная и прикладная лингвистика
Кто читает:
Школа лингвистики
Где читается:
Факультет гуманитарных наук
Когда читается:
4-й курс, 1, 2 модуль
Формат изучения:
без онлайн-курса
Преподаватели:
Волкова Анна Алексеевна
Язык:
английский
Кредиты:
3
Контактные часы:
36
Course 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
- IntroductionCourse outline. The main assumptions of generative grammar.
- Constituency, trees, and rulesStructural relations.
- X-bar theoryExtending X-bar theory to functional categories. Theta-theory.
- Binding TheoryAnaphors, pronominals and binding domains.
- MovementHead-to-head movement, wh-movement, DP movement.
- Raising & controlControl Theory.
- ErgativityUnaccusative predicates.
- A unified theory of movementAgreement.
- Split projectionsEllipsis.
- MinimalismPhases.
Assessment Elements
- test 1
- test 2
- test 3
- test 4
- written home assignment 1Answers 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 2Answers 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 3Answers 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 4Answers 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