Basic Word Order: Functional Principles

Description

Routledge Library Editions: Linguistics brings together as one set, mini-sets, or individual volumes, a series of previously out-of-print classics from a variety of academic imprints. With titles ranging from Applied Linguistics and Language Learning to Experimental Psycholinguistics and Sociolinguistics Today: International Perspectives, this set provides in one place a wealth of important reference sources from a wide range of authors expert in the field. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Original Title Page Original Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Preface 1. INTRODUCTION The Problem and an Outline of the Explanation Complicating Factors in Typological Explanation Other Explanations of Basic Constituent Order Analytical Categories and Terminology Evidence and Argumentation Direct and Symptomatic Evidence Argumentation 2. THE FREQUENCY OF BASIC CONSTITUENT ORDERS Introduction The Problem Results and Data Results Limits on Interpretation The Data Methodology Rationale Goodness-of-Fit Determining the Theoretical Distribution Production of the Final Sample Discussion Problem 1: The Comparability of Linguistic Claims Problem 2: The Determination of Basic Constituent Order Problem 3: The Dialect-Language Problem Conclusions 3. THE THEME FIRST PRINCIPLE Introduction Thematic Information in Discourse and Text Thematic Information and Shared Information The Identification of Thematic Information Previous Research into Thematic Information Argumentation for the TFP Evidence for the TFP Direct Evidence for the TFP Symptomatic Evidence for the TFP Constraints on Movement Rules The Position of Independent Pronominal Elements Discourse-Conditioned Syntax Limits on the TFP 4. VERB-OBJECT BONDING Introduction The Principle and Its Interpretation Characterization of the Parts of the Principle Transitive Bonding Prior Discussions of Verb-Object Bonding Argumentation for VOB Data for VOB Noun Incorporation Sentence Qualifier Placement Sentence Adverbial Placement Modal Placement Proverbal Replacements Movement Constraints Idioms Paraphrases, Compounds, and Cognate Objects Borrowing Conjunction Reduction Phonological Arguments Miscellaneous Evidence Limitations on VOB 5. THE ANIMATED FIRST PRINCIPLE Introduction The Principle and Its Interpretation "Animatedness" and the Animatedness Hierarchy Other Discussions of a Principle Like the AFP The Form of Argumentation for the AFP The Data for the AFP Unmarked Case Roles in Japanese Marked Word Orders in K'ekchi Benefactive-Patient Order in Sesotho Subject-Object Inversion in Navajo The Order of Agent Chomeurs in Cebuano Klamath Limits on the AFP 6. THE EXPLANATION AND CONCLUDING DISCUSSION . Introduction The Explanation Requirements on the Explanation The Explanation The First Perspective: Considering Verb Position The Second Perspective: Considering Only Relative Frequencies Conclusions Language-Specific Data as Counterevidence for the Principles Goals of Typological Research The Cognitive Basis for Functional Principles Alternative Principles Rejected Functional Principles in Typological Research References Appendix A Languages References Appendix B Appendix C INDEX