Goal of this piece of work is to provide a thorough overview and explanation of the movement of noun phrases (NPs) in the English language. Emphasis will be laid on the passivization and raising processes and the VP-Internal-Hypothesis which gives an understanding and explanation where nouns originate and move up to.
A general introduction of transformational grammar and categories is supposed to give the necessary frame for understanding English syntax.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. INTRODUCTION
- 2. ENGLISH SYNTAX
- 2.1 Transformational Grammar
- 2.2 The argument structure of sentences
- 2.3 Thematic roles (the theta-criterion)
- 2.4 X-bar theory
- 3. NP-MOVEMENT
- 3.1 The VP-Internal Hypothesis
- 3.1.1 Syntax of quantifiers
- 3.1.2 The syntax of idioms
- 3.1.3 Cliticization
- 3.1.4 Reflexive pronouns
- 3.2 Passivization
- 3.3 Raising
- 3.1 The VP-Internal Hypothesis
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This work aims to provide a comprehensive overview of noun phrase (NP) movement in English syntax. It focuses on the processes of passivization and raising, and explores the VP-Internal Hypothesis to explain NP origins and movement. The framework of transformational grammar and its relevant categories are introduced to provide a foundation for understanding English syntax.
- NP Movement in English Syntax
- Transformational Grammar and its application to English
- The VP-Internal Hypothesis
- Passivization and Raising Processes
- Argument Structure and Thematic Roles
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. INTRODUCTION: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the entire paper by outlining its primary objective: to thoroughly examine noun phrase (NP) movement within the context of English syntax. It emphasizes the significance of passivization and raising transformations, and the role of the VP-Internal Hypothesis in understanding NP movement from their origin to their surface structure positions. This sets the groundwork for the following chapters, providing the necessary context for a deeper exploration into the complex mechanisms of English grammar.
2. ENGLISH SYNTAX: This chapter establishes the foundation for understanding English syntax by introducing fundamental linguistic concepts and principles. It begins by defining language as a system of sentences governed by finite rules, distinguishing between the semantic and structural aspects of language. The chapter further introduces five levels of linguistic analysis: morphology, phonology, phonetics, semantics, and syntax, highlighting the unique structure of each language. It lays particular emphasis on English syntax, using Transformational Grammar as a theoretical framework.
2.1 Transformational Grammar: This section delves into Transformational Grammar, a theory explaining how grammatical knowledge is represented and processed in the brain. It introduces Chomsky's concept of deep structure (abstract underlying form) and surface structure (the actual sentence form), illustrating the relationship between them through examples. The notion of transformation rules, such as "Wh-movement," is explained, showing how these rules transform the deep structure into the surface structure. The section highlights the enduring influence of Transformational Grammar, emphasizing its evolution and continued importance in contemporary linguistic theories.
2.2 The argument structure of sentences: This section discusses the two main categories within English syntax: lexical and functional categories. It details the five lexical categories (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions) and the functional categories (determiners, auxiliary verbs, pronouns, conjunctions, and complementizers). The section explains the different functions of nouns within a sentence (subject, object, complement, etc.), emphasizing the methods used to identify subjects in English, including word order, subject-verb agreement, and case assignment through pronouns. This understanding is crucial for analyzing the position of subjects in NP movement.
2.3 Thematic roles (the theta-criterion): This section focuses on the structure of English phrases and the concept of thematic roles (theta-roles). Using examples of grammatical and ungrammatical sentences, it explains the concept of argument structure and how verbs require a certain number of arguments. Different thematic roles are defined, including agent, patient, and goal, and their assignment to sentence constituents is elaborated on. The significance of theta-role theory in understanding the relationships between sentence constituents and their roles within the sentence's action or state is highlighted.
2.4 X-bar theory: This section introduces the concept of phrase structure rules and the distinction between a word's lexical form, derived form, and inflected form. It explains the unconscious processes and rules governing the transformation of deep structure to surface structure, highlighting the role of the lexicon and transformation rules. The interaction between semantic interpretation and the transformation from deep to surface structure is also discussed. This section provides a theoretical framework for understanding the underlying structure that drives NP movement.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Noun Phrase (NP) Movement, English Syntax, Transformational Grammar, VP-Internal Hypothesis, Passivization, Raising, Thematic Roles, Argument Structure, Deep Structure, Surface Structure, X-bar theory.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this language preview?
This preview comprehensively explores noun phrase (NP) movement within English syntax. It focuses on the processes of passivization and raising, utilizing the VP-Internal Hypothesis as a primary explanatory framework. The theoretical underpinnings are established through the lens of transformational grammar.
What are the key themes covered in this preview?
The key themes include NP movement in English syntax, transformational grammar and its application, the VP-Internal Hypothesis, passivization and raising processes, and argument structure and thematic roles. The preview also details concepts such as deep structure, surface structure, and X-bar theory.
What is the purpose of this preview?
This preview aims to provide a structured overview of NP movement in English, serving as a guide to understanding the core concepts and theoretical frameworks involved. It summarizes key chapters and highlights important objectives.
What are the main chapters covered and what are their respective focuses?
The preview covers an introduction, English syntax (including transformational grammar, argument structure, thematic roles, and X-bar theory), and NP-movement (specifically the VP-Internal Hypothesis, passivization, and raising).
What is the role of Transformational Grammar in this preview?
Transformational grammar serves as the theoretical foundation for understanding the processes of NP movement. It provides the concepts of deep and surface structure and transformation rules, crucial for analyzing how sentences are generated and understood.
What is the VP-Internal Hypothesis and its significance?
The VP-Internal Hypothesis is a key theory explaining the origin and movement of noun phrases within the verb phrase (VP). The preview explores its application to passivization and raising.
What are passivization and raising, and how are they explained?
Passivization and raising are specific types of NP movement. The preview examines these processes within the framework of transformational grammar and the VP-Internal Hypothesis, illustrating how they affect sentence structure.
What are thematic roles and argument structure, and why are they important?
Thematic roles (e.g., agent, patient) describe the semantic roles of different phrases in a sentence, while argument structure refers to the number and type of arguments a verb takes. Understanding these concepts is crucial for analyzing the relationships between sentence constituents and their movement.
What is X-bar theory and its relevance to NP movement?
X-bar theory is a framework for representing the hierarchical structure of phrases, helping to explain the underlying structure driving NP movement. It provides a systematic way of representing the relationship between words and phrases.
What keywords summarize the content of this preview?
Key words include: Noun Phrase (NP) Movement, English Syntax, Transformational Grammar, VP-Internal Hypothesis, Passivization, Raising, Thematic Roles, Argument Structure, Deep Structure, Surface Structure, X-bar theory.
- Quote paper
- Lars Berghaus (Author), 2001, Movement of noun phrases in English syntax, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/74228