This course is intended to provide a comparative panorama of some of the major linguistic theories on the scene today. There is no evangelistic intent in this exposure; rather, it is intended that each student will come to a more thorough understanding of that theory to which s/he is committed, as well as seeing how it compares with other theories, improving in ability to read literature written in other models without undue difficulty. The emphasis in this course will be on syntax and semantics, with little attention paid to phonology (students are referred to Linguistics 5304--Phonological Theory II for investigation of the latter topic). To that end, we will focus on three major points of view. Each of these approaches forms part of the curriculum at UTA and has numerous adherents. In addition, they provide a wide spectrum of alternatives, some of the ideas of which find their way into other theories as well. The theories to be discussed in detail are the following:
Transformational-Generative Grammar: Standard Theory, Generative Semantics, Extended Standard Theory, Revised Extended Standard Theory/Government and Binding (Principles and Parameters Theory)Stratificational Grammar: Lamb/Lockwood "classical" approach, Fleming implementation
Tagmemics: Pike, Longacre (including Discourse Grammar)
Secondarily, we will more quickly and less thoroughly look at some other points of view:
Relational GrammarMontague Grammar
Generalized Phrase Structure Grammar
Lexical-Functional Grammar
Functional models
Cognitive Grammar
For these last orientations the emphasis is more on exposure than in-depth understanding. As time permits, application of the theoretical material to new data will be encouraged.
Textbook
The textbook for this course is:
Edmondson, Jerold A., and Donald A. Burquest. 1998. A Survey of Linguistic Theories, 3rd edition. Dallas, TX: Summer Institute of Linguistics.
Also recommended for your consideration are the following:
Chomsky, Noam. 1965. Aspects of the Theory of Syntax. Cambridge, MA: MIT.Moravcsik, Edith A., and Jessica R. Wirth. 1980. Current Approaches to Syntax. Syntax and Semantics, vol. 13. NY: Academic Press.
Newmeyer, Frederick J. 1983. Grammatical Theory, Its Limits and Its Possibilities. Chicago: University of Chicago.
In addition, we will look at various articles from other books and journals.
Student Responsibility
Each student is expected to come to class prepared to discuss the material assigned. There will be three take-home examinations in the course, which will be evaluated equally. The definite date for the first two will be determined by course progress, but the exams will be due approximately as follows (please be aware that late work cannot be accepted):
February 23 (class time)--following the Generative sectionApril 13 (class time)--following the Stratificational and Tagmemics sections
May 13 (4:30 pm)--this is the scheduled date for the final exam in this class