Introduction
Abstract
A grammatical description is an essential component of any program of language documentation and preservation. With over half the languages in the world currently in danger of extinction within a century, the need for descriptive grammars is more critical than ever. Potential grammar writers often find themselves paralyzed by the massive prospect of describing a language. Additionally, grammar writing is a long term task, and more immediate concerns often preclude the expenditure of time and energy necessary to accomplish an adequate grammatical description. The papers in the present volume provide suggestions and encouragement from experienced grammar writers and users regarding concrete methods for approaching the complex task of writing a descriptive grammar of a language.
Abstract
A grammatical description is an essential component of any program of language documentation and preservation. With over half the languages in the world currently in danger of extinction within a century, the need for descriptive grammars is more critical than ever. Potential grammar writers often find themselves paralyzed by the massive prospect of describing a language. Additionally, grammar writing is a long term task, and more immediate concerns often preclude the expenditure of time and energy necessary to accomplish an adequate grammatical description. The papers in the present volume provide suggestions and encouragement from experienced grammar writers and users regarding concrete methods for approaching the complex task of writing a descriptive grammar of a language.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Introduction 1
- Contextualizing a grammar 11
- Writing grammars for the community 19
- Collective field work 25
- Grammars and the community 45
- From parts of speech to the grammar 71
- Grammar writing for a grammar-reading audience 113
- A grammar as a communicative act, or what does a grammatical description really describe? 127
- A typology of good grammars 143
- Thoughts on growing a grammar 173
- The linguistic example 199
- Index 215
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Introduction 1
- Contextualizing a grammar 11
- Writing grammars for the community 19
- Collective field work 25
- Grammars and the community 45
- From parts of speech to the grammar 71
- Grammar writing for a grammar-reading audience 113
- A grammar as a communicative act, or what does a grammatical description really describe? 127
- A typology of good grammars 143
- Thoughts on growing a grammar 173
- The linguistic example 199
- Index 215
