LING 4429 - Grammar Formalisms

(KCM-AS)

Spring. 4 credits.

Prerequisites: LING 1101 and LING 3303.

J. Hale.

This course introduces different ways of “formalizing” linguistic analyses, with examples from natural language syntax. Students learn to identify recurrent themes in generative grammar, seeing how alternative conceptualizations lead to different analytical trade-offs. Using distinctions such as rule vs constraint, transformational vs monostratal and violable vs inviolable, students emerge better able to assess others’ work in a variety of formalisms, and better able to deploy formalism in their own analyses.