1. Introduction
The American linguist and philosopher Noam Chomsky is seen as one of the most important developers of language theories. He has composed and published many literary works that have been dispersed worldwide. He has worked to further the study and understanding of linguistics from both the biological and psychological perspective.
This termpaper mainly refers to Chomsky′s essay "Remarks on Nominalization" , published in 1970. In this essay he discusses the major structural differences between "gerunds" ( verbal nouns like in "John being easy to please", or "John interesting the children with his stories") and "derived nominals" (regular nouns like in "the destruction of the city").
"Among various types of nominal expressions in English there are two of particular importance, each roughly of propositional form...the gerundive nominals...and the derived nominals..."
In my termpaper I am going to comment exactly on those two linguistic phenomenons: gerundive nominals vs. derived nominals. In order to comprehend Chomsky′s analysis I will have to provide some general assumptions about syntax, the lexicon and the approaches Chomsky uses in his article.
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Syntax vs. Lexicon
2.1 Lexicon
2.2 Verbs
2.3 Nouns
2.4 The Definition Of Syntax
3. Surface vs. Deep Structure
4. Lexicalist vs. Transformationalist Position
5. Lexicalist Approach On Derived Nominals
6. Lexicalist Approach On Gerundive Nominals
7. Nominalization
8. Derived Nominals
8a. Complements
9. The Most Important Differences Between Gerunds And Derived Nominals
10. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines Noam Chomsky's foundational essay "Remarks on Nominalization" (1970) to elucidate the structural and functional distinctions between gerundive nominals and derived nominals within linguistic theory. The central objective is to analyze how these two phenomena are categorized through the lens of the lexicalist versus the transformationalist approach.
- Comparison of gerundive and derived nominals
- Analysis of the relationship between syntax and the lexicon
- Evaluation of the lexicalist hypothesis in nominalization
- Structural differences in internal argument distribution
- Morphological and semantic predictability of nominal forms
Excerpt from the Book
5. Lexicalist Approach On Derived Nominals
Let us consider NP (6):
6.) The performance of the song
Chomsky says that NP’s of this kind are not transformationally derived from sentences like (7)
7.) Sarah performed the song
and that words like "performance" are dominated by an N node at Deep Structure. The theory arguing that NP’s of kind (6) are transforms of sentences like (7) Chomsky calls "the transformationalist approach". Chomsky has three main arguments against this kind of approach.
According to him, the most striking argument against the "transformationalist hypothesis" is the non-productive character of the relation between derived nominals and sentences like:
8a.) John amused the children with his stories
8b.) *John's amusement of the children with his stories
9a.) Sarah is certain to win the prize
9b.) *Sarah's certainty to win the prize
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the scope of the paper, focusing on Chomsky’s 1970 essay and defining the primary subjects of inquiry: gerundive and derived nominals.
2. Syntax vs. Lexicon: Explains the theoretical framework by defining the lexicon and syntax, emphasizing their interaction and the categorial specifications of words.
3. Surface vs. Deep Structure: Outlines Chomsky’s differentiation between deep and surface structures and the role of transformation rules.
4. Lexicalist vs. Transformationalist Position: Compares two major linguistic approaches, favoring the lexicalist view that separates the lexicon from categorial components.
5. Lexicalist Approach On Derived Nominals: Provides arguments against the transformationalist view, highlighting the non-productivity and idiosyncratic nature of derived nominals.
6. Lexicalist Approach On Gerundive Nominals: Details the verb-like and noun-like properties of gerunds and how they function at different levels of representation.
7. Nominalization: Introduces the three types of nominalizations relevant to English, setting the stage for the specific comparison of gerundive and derived forms.
8. Derived Nominals: Characterizes derived nominals as regular nouns that possess specific verbal properties, such as taking complements.
8a. Complements: Examines how both nominal types receive thematic roles from their "head" and discusses the function of internal arguments.
9. The Most Important Differences Between Gerunds And Derived Nominals: Synthesizes the core contrasts, focusing on productivity, internal structure, and morphological consistency.
10. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings and reinforces the validity of the lexicalist hypothesis for derived nominals.
Keywords
Noam Chomsky, Nominalization, Lexicalist Hypothesis, Transformationalist Approach, Syntax, Lexicon, Derived Nominals, Gerundive Nominals, Deep Structure, Surface Structure, Argument Structure, Linguistic Theory, Morphology, Semantics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on the structural and functional differences between gerundive nominals and derived nominals as discussed in Noam Chomsky's seminal 1970 essay, "Remarks on Nominalization."
What are the central thematic fields addressed?
The core themes include the relationship between syntax and the lexicon, the distinction between surface and deep structures, and the debate between transformationalist and lexicalist accounts of word formation.
What is the primary research question?
The paper asks how different linguistic approaches account for the formation of nominals and why the lexicalist approach provides a more accurate model for derived nominals compared to the transformationalist one.
Which scientific methods are employed in this analysis?
The analysis utilizes a theoretical-linguistic approach, specifically applying Chomskyan generative grammar, to evaluate the structural properties and grammaticality of various nominalization patterns.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body examines the definitions of syntax and the lexicon, contrasts deep and surface structures, and provides empirical evidence—such as productivity and morphological irregularities—to support the lexicalist analysis of derived nominals.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Lexicalist Hypothesis, Transformationalist Approach, Gerunds, Derived Nominals, Deep Structure, and Argument Structure.
Why does Chomsky argue against the transformationalist hypothesis for derived nominals?
Chomsky argues that the relationship between derived nominals and their corresponding sentences is often non-productive and semantically irregular, making a transformational derivation less plausible than a lexicalist one.
How do gerundive nominals differ from derived nominals regarding verb-like behavior?
Gerundive nominals typically retain more verbal properties, such as the ability to be modified by adverbs and to form aspect, whereas derived nominals function more like regular nouns and are restricted by noun-like morphological rules.
- Citation du texte
- Nadja Jurk (Auteur), 2001, Chomsky: Remarks on Nominalization: Derived and Gerundive Nominals, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/4808
