David Lightfoot's collection explores a central aspect of language change: the nature and degree to which changes in morphology (inflectional word endings, for example) cause changes in syntax (for example, in word order). The 22 contributors consider such phenomena within the context of Chomsky's minimalist revision of his principles (of universal grammar) and parameters (of individual languages) theory. They also address some of the main unanswered problems associated with Professor Lightfoot's hypothesis that all grammatical change is driven by the way in which children acquire language. These questions are discussed in the context of a wide range of languages by distinguished scholars from around the world. There are 21 chapters divided into 4 parts: Morphologically Driven Changes, Indirect Links Between Morphology and Syntax, Independent Changes in Movement Operations, and Computer Simulations.

About the Author
David W. Lightfoot is Dean of the Graduate School at Georgetown University. Until recently he was Professor of Linguistics and Associate Director of the Neural and Cognitive Science Program at the University of Maryland with a joint appointment as Professor of Linguistics at the University of Reading. His books include Principles of Diachronic Syntax (CUP 1979), The Language Lottery: Toward a Biology of Grammars (MIT Press, 1982), How to Set Parameters: Arguments from Language Change (MIT Press, 1991), and The Development of Language: Acquisition, Change, and Evolution (Blackwell, 1999).


Book Information
ISBN 9780199250691
Author David W. Lightfoot
Format Paperback
Page Count 424
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 606g
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 158mm * 23mm