Understanding Syntax

By Maggie Tallerman

Book Overview

Assuming no prior knowledge, Understanding Syntax illustrates the major concepts and terminology associated with the study of cross-linguistic syntax. A theory-neutral and descriptive viewpoint is taken throughout. Starting with an overview of what syntax is, the book moves on to an explanation of word classes and a discussion of sentence structure in the world's languages, taking data from approximately 100 languages. The final chapter illustrates the principles involved in syntactically sketching a language, enabling the reader to construct a grammatical sketch of a language known to them. This fully updated book is essential for all students studying syntax.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0415746981
• ISBN13: 9780415746984
• Release Date: September 2014
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 341 Pages
• Weight: 1.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 8.9"

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.