Radical Construction Grammar: Syntactic Theory in Typological Perspective (Oxford linguistics) [Paperback]

William Croft (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 27, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0198299540 | ISBN-13: 978-0198299547

This book is based on the results of research in language typology, and motivated by the need for a theory to explain them. Croft proposes intimate links between syntactic and semantic structures, and argues that the basic elements of any language are not syntactic but rather syntactic-semantic "Gestalts." He puts forward a new approach to syntactic representation and a new model of how language and languages work.

Editorial Reviews

Review

`Review from previous edition There is no doubt that this book is a landmark in linguistic theory. It is an outstanding work by a brilliant intellect in which Croft demonstrates the depth of his linguistic knowledge and above all vision. It will constitute a source of inspiration for much future linguistic theorizing.' Anna Siewierska, Professor of Linguistics, University of Lancaster

`Radical Construction Grammar is an important work that is bound to elicit strong reactions, for it questions basic tenets of linguistic research. Croft argues persuasively that much research on universals suffers from methodological flaws: there are language universals, but linguists have been trying to characterize them at the wrong level of description . . . Because the arguments are presented in great detail and illustrated with fascinating examples, the book's controversial claims cannot be dismissed lightly. I look forward to the discussion it will provoke.' Tom Wasow, Professor of Linguistics and Philosophy, Stanford University

`Croft's Radical Construction Grammar is a welcome contribution bearing on an issue of basic importance to linguistic theory: the nature and status of grammatical categories. His innovative examination of this question from a functionalist and typological perspective refocuses the debate in a fundamental way. It deserves to be seriously considered by all linguists regardless of their theoretical orientation.' Ronald W. Langacker, University of California, San Diego

About the Author

William Croft is Professor of Linguistics at Manchester University and has held positions at the universities of Michigan, Stanford, and at the Max Planck Institute in Nijmegen. His books are 'Typology and Universals' (CUP 1990) and 'Syntactic Categories and Grammatical Relations: The Cognitive Organization of Information' (University of Chicago Press 1991). He is a series editor of 'Oxford Studies in Language Typology and Linguistic Theory'.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (December 27, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198299540
• ISBN-13: 978-0198299547
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #346,653 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars typologically useful anarchism, December 9, 2011

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xandrawild - See all my reviews

This review is from: Radical Construction Grammar: Syntactic Theory in Typological Perspective (Oxford linguistics) (Paperback)

i never thought i'd say this about a syntax book (hehe!) but this work promotes freedom of thought and is a great read. i understand that the seeming lack of rules might confuse or frustrate a formally grounded linguist, in the same way that my current laziness in not hitting shift to capitalize is probably driving some wingnut out there mad, but the book is perfect if you don't have a need to sweepingly generalize everything (Croft intentionally is anti- universalist within this book because it's designed for typologists, who have had to deal with reductionism for a long time and are probably really happy that someone is finally validating the holes they found in universal generalizations while they were analyzing languages other than english ). my grad colleagues and i love it, so ha.