How much syntactic reconstruction is possible?
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Acrisio Pires
Abstract
This paper explores ways to synthesize methods from generative linguistics and historical linguistics to develop explanatory criteria that need to be satisfied by different attempts to carry out syntactic reconstruction. It addresses various questions such as (i) the need to define exactly what it means to reconstruct a language; (ii) characterizing the formal entities that count as the basic elements in the analysis of the empirical evidence for syntactic reconstruction, and whether the units of analysis and the elements that need to be reconstructed are formal entities of the same kind; (iii) whether it is possible to establish general principles for reconstructing syntax; (iv) to which extent the methodology adopted for the reconstruction of other properties of a linguistic system can be applied successfully to the reconstruction of syntax; and (v) identifying methodological criteria to assess the success of a syntactic reconstruction, and devise empirical tests for the reconstruction model.
Abstract
This paper explores ways to synthesize methods from generative linguistics and historical linguistics to develop explanatory criteria that need to be satisfied by different attempts to carry out syntactic reconstruction. It addresses various questions such as (i) the need to define exactly what it means to reconstruct a language; (ii) characterizing the formal entities that count as the basic elements in the analysis of the empirical evidence for syntactic reconstruction, and whether the units of analysis and the elements that need to be reconstructed are formal entities of the same kind; (iii) whether it is possible to establish general principles for reconstructing syntax; (iv) to which extent the methodology adopted for the reconstruction of other properties of a linguistic system can be applied successfully to the reconstruction of syntax; and (v) identifying methodological criteria to assess the success of a syntactic reconstruction, and devise empirical tests for the reconstruction model.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- Foreword ix
- Syntactic reconstruction: Methods and new insights 1
- How much syntactic reconstruction is possible? 27
- Reconstruction in syntax: Reconstruction of patterns 73
- Reconstructing complex structures: A typological perspective 97
- Competitive Indo-European syntax 121
- Principles of syntactic reconstruction and "morphology as paleosyntax": The case of some Indo-European secondary verbal formations 161
- Syntactic change and syntactic borrowing in generative grammar 187
- Index 217
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- Foreword ix
- Syntactic reconstruction: Methods and new insights 1
- How much syntactic reconstruction is possible? 27
- Reconstruction in syntax: Reconstruction of patterns 73
- Reconstructing complex structures: A typological perspective 97
- Competitive Indo-European syntax 121
- Principles of syntactic reconstruction and "morphology as paleosyntax": The case of some Indo-European secondary verbal formations 161
- Syntactic change and syntactic borrowing in generative grammar 187
- Index 217
