This textbook, first published in 2004, provides a concise, clear, and accessible introduction to current syntactic theory, drawing on the key concepts of Chomsky's Minimalist Program. Assuming little or no prior grammatical knowledge, Andrew Radford takes students through a wide range of topics in English syntax, beginning at an elementary level and progressing in stages towards more advanced material. There is an extensive glossary of technical terms, and each chapter contains a workbook section with 'helpful hints', exercises and model answers, suitable for both class discussion and self-study. This is an abridged version of Radford's major new textbook Minimalist Syntax (also published by Cambridge University Press), and will be welcomed as a short introduction to current syntactic theory.
Andrew Radford is Professor of Linguistics at the University of Essex.
1. Principles, parameters and universal grammar; 2. Categories and features; 3. Syntactic structure and merger; 4. Null constituents; 5. Head movement; 6. Wh-movement; 7. A-movement; 8. Case, agreement and movement; 9. Split projections; 10. Phases.
'Radford's new book displays all the qualities we have come to associate with his work: unparalleled clarity, original analyses, and a humorous presentation. He has a unique talent for making even the most abstract ideas accessible. If you want to understand the latest developments in current syntactic theory, read it.' Neil V. Smith FBA, University College London
Andrew Radford, Martin Atkinson, David Britain, Harald Clahsen, Andrew Spencer, Andrew (University of Essex) Radford, Martin (University of Essex) Atkinson, David (University of Essex) Britain, Harald (University of Essex) Clahsen, Andrew (University of Essex) Spencer