By
K. Brown, University of Cambridge, UK
J. Miller, University of Edinburgh, UK
Description
Syntactic description and theoretical syntax are central concerns in linguistics. For thirty years, the search for a single formal model
of syntax has been the central task in the field; many theories have been proposed, some discarded, none universally adopted, and the
problem continues to challenge linguists.
The award-winning
Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics included many excellent
articles on all major syntactic theories, current or past, written either by their originators or by eminent practitioners. These articles
are now collected here in a single volume. All have been thoroughly updated; several entirely new articles have been added, while others
have been significantly revised or extended.
This collection gives a full and fascinating picture of the evolution of linguists' attempts
to wrestle with syntax. The comprehensive inclusion of less popular theories alongside more current ones provides the researcher with
the context and perspectives necessary to appreciate why some avenues have been pursued, while others have not. This is valuable for
the development both of the more generally accepted approaches, and of others now being revived or introduced.
The editors' extensive
introduction gives an excellent overview of the theories covered and of the issues involved, and places each article in its historical
and theoretical context. The reader is supported by the inclusion of a substantial Glossary and name and subject indexes.
The Concise
Encyclopedia of Syntactic Theories will be an invaluable reference work, not only for those studying specific theories, but also
for those with a wider interest in matters of linguistic theory.
Audience:
For faculty and graduate students in departments related to linguistics (linguistics, applied linguistics, artificial intelligence, psychology,
anthropology, and modern language departments). All those with a wider interest in matters of linguistics theory.
