Understanding Syntax (Understanding Language)

By Maggie Tallerman

Book Overview

Assuming no prior knowledge of linguistics, Understanding Syntax, Third Edition discusses and illustrates the major terms and concepts essential to the study of sentence structure in the world's languages. Word classes such as "noun" and "verb" are explained, and the properties of these categories are discussed. You will discover what is meant by the terms "subject" and "object," what a finite verb is, and what relative clauses look like. Concepts such as "gender," "case," and "subordination" are introduced and exemplified, with extensive illustration from English and many other languages. Grammatical constructions and relationships within the clause are fully covered, including verb serialization, ergativity, and head- and dependent-marking grammars. This new edition has been updated and revised to meet the needs of today's students. Difficult points are given fuller explanation, references have been updated, and important skills are taught, such as how to read examples from languages other than English.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1444112058
• ISBN13: 9781444112054
• Release Date: September 2011
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 328 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.5" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Great book for getting your feet wet!

If you're looking for a good introduction to syntax, this is a wonderful book for that purpose. Tallerman's prose is clear and understandable and the examples clearly explain the concepts. The book is organized well and both indices and contents pages do their jobs well, something I've found rare in many textbooks. The questions, however, can sometimes be quirky. The data can be minimal in the extreme and instead the question itself leads the student to the answer. This can make the questions seem just a rehash of the chapter instead of exercises that develop the student's skills. Depending on the professor, it can leave students unprepared for tests and quizzes. These quirks are rare, though, and most exercises help the student well enough.I'd recommend this book for those learning syntax on their own or for really basic courses in syntax. This isn't really a graduate level book by itself, although with supplements or another more advanced text it is a great way to introduce students to syntax before moving on to the harder stuff later on in the semester.