Transformational Grammar: A First Course (Cambridge Textbooks in Linguistics)

About this book

Radfords new textbook is primarily for students with little or no background in syntax who need a lively and up-to-date introduction to contemporary work on transformational grammar. It covers four main topics: the goals of linguistic theory syntactic structure the nature and role of the lexicon and the function and operations of transformations. The general framework considers major works such as Chomskys Knowledge of Language and Barriers written since the publication of Radfords widely acclaimed Transformational Syntax in 1981. The present book uses a more recent theoretical construction and also covers a wider range of frameworks at the descriptive level than its predecessor. Radford is well known for his effective teaching approaches and this current volume demonstrates his talent by giving a concise non-technical introduction to the field. At each chapters end are exercises that reinforce the text allowing students to apply the various concepts discussed and encouraging them to look more critically at some of the assumptions and analyses presented. Radford provides a useful detailed bibliography of primary source material.