This module offers an introduction to Dynamic Syntax (DS) – a grammar formalism which aims to reflect the real-time parsing/production process.
There is a broad consensus that humans process linguistic input in real time. However, the dynamics of this process have traditionally not been reflected in most formal accounts of linguistic knowledge. Dynamic Syntax seeks to address this gap by providing a model of the way in which hearers incrementally build semantic representation (and interpretation) from information provided by words in context.
The first part of this model will constitute an introduction to the basic tools and mechanisms employed by the DS framework. We will look at the Logic of Finite Trees and how trees grow, as well as the mechanisms used to represent underspecification. The second part of the course will be dedicated to exploring a range of cross-linguistic phenomena through the adoption of the tools provided by the framework. Topics will include clitic placement in Romance and Greek, auxiliary placement in Bantu languages, cleft constructions in Japanese and inversion constructions.
Time and interest permitting, in the second part of the module the discussion will be structured around research papers from the recent literature. This can in part be guided by the interests of the group.
By the end of the module, students will:
* Have an understanding of the theoretical foundations of Dynamic Syntax.
* Be familiar with the study of key tools and mechanisms employed by the framework
* Be familiar with the Dynamic Syntax approach to syntactic representation and the parsing/production process
* Be able to apply a number of the tools of the Dynamic Syntax framework to syntactic analysis
* Be able to sustain reasoned argumentation through application of the tools of the Dynamic Syntax framework.
There is a broad consensus that humans process linguistic input in real time. However, the dynamics of this process have traditionally not been reflected in most formal accounts of linguistic knowledge. Dynamic Syntax seeks to address this gap by providing a model of the way in which hearers incrementally build semantic representation (and interpretation) from information provided by words in context.
The first part of this model will constitute an introduction to the basic tools and mechanisms employed by the DS framework. We will look at the Logic of Finite Trees and how trees grow, as well as the mechanisms used to represent underspecification. The second part of the course will be dedicated to exploring a range of cross-linguistic phenomena through the adoption of the tools provided by the framework. Topics will include clitic placement in Romance and Greek, auxiliary placement in Bantu languages, cleft constructions in Japanese and inversion constructions.
Time and interest permitting, in the second part of the module the discussion will be structured around research papers from the recent literature. This can in part be guided by the interests of the group.
By the end of the module, students will:
* Have an understanding of the theoretical foundations of Dynamic Syntax.
* Be familiar with the study of key tools and mechanisms employed by the framework
* Be familiar with the Dynamic Syntax approach to syntactic representation and the parsing/production process
* Be able to apply a number of the tools of the Dynamic Syntax framework to syntactic analysis
* Be able to sustain reasoned argumentation through application of the tools of the Dynamic Syntax framework.