Surface Structure and Interpretation (Linguistic Inquiry Monographs) [Paperback]

Mark Steedman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0262691930 | ISBN-13: 978-0262691932 | Publication Date: April 4, 1996

Combinatory Categorial Grammar (CCG) offers a new approach to the theory of natural language grammar. Coordination, relativization, and related prosodic phenomena have been analyzed in CCG in terms of a radically revised notion of surface structure. CCG surface structures do not exhibit traditional notions of syntactic dominance and command, and do not constitute an autonomous level of representation. Instead, they reflect the computations by which a sentence may be realized or analyzed, to synchronously define a predicate-argument structure, or logical form. Surface Structure and Interpretation shows that binding and control can be captured at this level, preserving the advantages of CCG as an account of coordination and unbounded dependency.The core of the book is a detailed treatment of extraction, a focus of syntactic research since the early work of Chomsky and Ross. The topics addressed include the sources of subject-object asymmetries and phenomena attributed to the Empty Category Principle (ECP), asymmetric islands, parasitic gaps, and the relation of coordination and extraction, including their interactions with binding theory. In his conclusion, the author relates CCG to other categorial and type-driven approaches and to proposals for minimalism in linguistic theory.Linguistic Inquiry Monograph No. 30

Editorial Reviews

Review

The core of Mark Steedman's Surface Structure And Interpretation is a det ailed treatment of extraction, a focus on syntactic research since the early work of Chomsky and Ross. The topics addressed include the sources of subject-object asymmetries and phenomena attributed to the "Empty Category Principle), asymmetric islands, parasitic gaps, and the r elations of coordination and extraction, including their interactions with binding theory. In his conc lusion, Steedman relates "Combinatory Categorial Grammar" to other categorial and type-driven appr oaches and to proposals for minimalism in linguistic theory. Surface Structure And Interpretation is an important and progressive contribution to the academic field of linguistics. -- Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Mark Steedman is Professor of Cognitive Science in the Division of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh. He is the author of Surface Structure and Interpretation (MIT Press, 1996).

Product Details

• Paperback: 140 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press (April 4, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262691930
• ISBN-13: 978-0262691932
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,362,324 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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