Full Description
This handbook provides a critical guide to the most central proposition in modern linguistics: the notion, generally known as Universal Grammar, that a universal set of structural principles underlies the grammatical diversity of the world's languages. Part I considers the implications of Universal Grammar for philosophy of mind and philosophy of language, and examines the history of the theory. Part II focuses on linguistic theory, looking at topics such as explanatory adequacy and how phonology and semantics fit into Universal Grammar. Parts III and IV look respectively at the insights derived from UG-inspired research on language acquisition, and at comparative syntax and language typology, while part V considers the evidence for Universal Grammar in phenomena such as creoles, language pathology, and sign language. The book will be a vital reference for linguists, philosophers, and cognitive scientists.
Contents
List of Figures and Tables
List of Abbreviations
The Contributors
1: Ian Roberts: Introduction
PART I: Philosophical Background
2: Wolfram Hinzen: Universal Grammar and Philosophy of Mind
3: Peter Ludlow: Universal Grammar and Philosophy of Language
4: John McGilvray: On the History of Universal Grammar
PART II: Linguistic Theory
5: Luigi Rizzi: The Concept of Explanatory Adequacy
6: Terje Lohndal and Juan Uriagereka: Third-factor Explanations and Universal Grammar
7: Frederick J. Newmeyer: Formal and Functional Explanation
8: Brett Miller, Neil Myler, and Bert Vaux: Phonology in Universal Grammar
9: George Tsoulas: Semantics in Universal Grammar
PART III: Language Acquisition
10: Howard Lasnik and Jeffrey L. Lidz: The Argument from the Poverty of the Stimulus
11: Janet Dean Fodor and William G. Sakas: Learnability
12: Maria Teresa Guasti: First Language Acquisition
13: Bonnie D. Schwartz and Rex A. Sprouse: The Role of Universal Grammar in Non-native Language Acquisition
PART IV: Comparative Syntax
14: C.-T. James Huang and Ian Roberts: Principles and Parameters of Universal Grammar
15: Anders Holmberg: Linguistic Typology
16: Cristina Guardiano and Giuseppe Longobardi: Parameter Theory and Parametric Comparison
PART V: Wider Issues
17: Enoch O. Aboh and Michel DeGraff: A Null Theory of Creole Formation Based on Universal Grammar
18: Eric Fuß: Language Change
19: Ianthi Tsimpli, Maria Kambanaros, and Kleanthes K. Grohmann: Language Pathology
20: Carlo Cecchetto: The Syntax of Sign Language and Universal Grammar
21: Bridget D. Samuels, Marc D. Hauser, and Cedric Boeckx: Looking for UG in Animals: A Case Study in Phonology
References
Index of Authors
Index of Subjects
