Phonology in Generative Grammar (Blackwell Textbooks in Linguistics) [Paperback]

Michael Kenstowicz (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1557864268 | ISBN-13: 978-1557864260 | Publication Date: January 14, 1994 | Edition: 1st

This is the most comprehensive and current introduction to phonological theory and analysis. Presupposing only minimal background in linguistics, the book introduces the basic concepts and principles of phonological analysis and then systematically develops the major innovations in the generative model since Chomsky and Halle's Sound Patterns of English (1968). Careful study of the text will enable the student to read the current scholarly literature with critical understanding and some perspective. Some unique features of the book include a set of exercises reinforcing the basic concepts and principles, illustrations from a variety of languages based on published and unpublished materials, a survey of all the major lines of research in phonological theory, and an extensive bibliography.

Phonology in Generative Grammar is supported by an instructor's manual.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book presents a highly competent, comprehensive, and up-to-date summary of current theoretical phonology and does so in a sound pedagogical fashion and with an enduring encyclopedic value." Phonology

"Phonology in Generative Grammar is certainly the most comprehensive book to date on generative phonology, providing an astonishing wealth of information and analyses on virtually every topic discussed in the field. However, Phonology in Generative Grammar is more than simply a textbook for students; it is a state-of-the-art report for advanced practitioners where outstanding problems in almost all strands of generative research are discussed at length. The analyses Kenstowicz offers are, as a whole, excellent, and the book should be required reading for all phonologists. Indeed, Phonology in Generative Grammar will undoubtedly be the standard general work on generative phonology for years to come. Linguistics

"It is, in my view, the best in-depth introduction to the theory and practice of current generative phonology as well as a vast body of descriptive accounts, which is highly useful to anybody interested in the subject. Lingua

"This newly published book is a treasure chest of theory, discussion, and practice in phonological analysis following the generative tradition. Kenstowicz, one of the leading proponents of this model and a recognized authority in the field, presents the material in a lucid and clearly written style. Scattered throughout the discussion are insightful and perceptive comments allowing the reader to get a feel for how formal linguistic theory is developed and modified through interaction with real data. This work is admirably up-to-date and thorough, focusing primarily on topics which have sparked much interest and debate in the literature of the past ten years." Notes on Linguistics

From the Back Cover

This is the most comprehensive and current introduction to phonological theory and analysis. Presupposing only minimal background in linguistics, the book introduces the basic concepts and principles of phonological analysis and then systematically develops the major innovations in the generative model since Chomsky and Halle's Sound Patterns of English (1968). Careful study of the text will enable the student to read the current scholarly literature with critical understanding and some perspective. Some unique features of the book include a set of exercises reinforcing the basic concepts and principles, illustrations from a variety of languages based on published and unpublished materials, a survey of all the major lines of research in phonological theory, and an extensive bibliography.

Phonology in Generative Grammar is supported by an instructor's manual.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 720 pages
• Publisher: Blackwell Publishing; 1st edition (January 14, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557864268
• ISBN-13: 978-1557864260
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.7 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,992 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Intro to basic problems in phonological theory, May 29, 2000

By 

Frederick Parkinson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Phonology in Generative Grammar (Blackwell Textbooks in Linguistics) (Paperback)

This text is a classic and should be required reading for any non-introductory student of phonology. Its strengths include its discussion of the basic issues of phonology and its lovely problem sets.

Its greatest weakness is that many of the issues so clearly laid out in this book were of great concern to phonologists in 1977, but less so today.

Still, while the model that phonologists use to represent, for example, "rule ordering" has changed, the discussion of "feeding," "counter feeding," "bleeding," and "counter bleeding" in this text, and certainly the language examples are relevant today.

This book may not be ideal for a student who takes only one course in phonology since some of the discussion is outdated and a bit complicated. It is, however, a good place to start for any student who wishes to understand the issues of generative, linear phonology, even if only out of historical interest.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Dense, bad writing, September 3, 2008

By 

Pepper K. (AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Phonology in Generative Grammar (Blackwell Textbooks in Linguistics) (Paperback)

Perhaps the best part of this book is that it has really good problem sets at the end of each chapter. Unfortunately that's where they the good ends. The writing is dense and hard to understand, as if the author is unable to articulate his thoughts cogently and concisely and hides it with vague words. There is a lot of information crammed on one page and the diagrams are not explained well. If you are a researcher it is important to articulate your ideas clearly so that your work is understood. I think schools that use this do it mainly out of tradition rather than the actual quality of the book. As for me I am off to search for better books to supplement this one.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well-informed, poorly laid-out, November 26, 2000

By 

Erez Levon (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Phonology in Generative Grammar (Blackwell Textbooks in Linguistics) (Paperback)

Kenstowicz's textbook is an excellent starting place for an more in-depth examination of phonological theory. While he presents his arguments in a cogent fashion, the structure of the textbook leaves a great deal to be desired. It is probably most beneficial for a student or teacher to jump around the book putting things together that for some reason have been separated. But on the whole, I feel like this book provides a detailed presentation of both linear and non-linear phonology with a wealth of challenging and informative exercises. An excellent resource for graduate level work in phonology.