Syntax II

This course is part of the programme
Master in SL studies - Linguistics

Objectives and competences

More syntax that goes into more in-depth analysis of various syntactic phenomena. Discusses the role of the two interfaces (phonetic form and logical form) and the current trends in syntax connecting the two interfaces. Goes into comparative studies of specific syntactic phenomena and gives detailed accounts of them.

Prerequisites

In order to successfully participate in in-class discussions and to follow the lectures, the student should take the introductory linguistic courses, in particular Syntax I. This course is related to other courses in the Language curriculum.

Content

The course is about numerous topics that represent the core of generative syntax. Special emphasis is given to the study of movements, building of the syntactic structure, and on interfaces between syntax and semantics and phonology. As for syntactic movements, the central question is the nature of the cyclic movement, or more generally, the question of locality of movements, the motivation for A-movements and wh-movements. We will discuss data from various languages and see what we can learn from them while building linguistic theory.

Material discussed in lectures also forms the main part of recitations, where more time and care is devoted to the main issues. Emphasis is given to practical knowledge and actual analysis of language data.

Intended learning outcomes

Students deepen their knowledge of syntax and syntactic phenomena. Students familirize themselves with the core syntactic literature and most common syntactic phenomena. Students can recognize interesting linguistic topics, they can do independent syntactic research, they can find relevant literature by themselves. To prove all this, they have to write a term-paper.

Readings

  • Adger, David. 2003. Core Syntax. Oxford University Press.
  • Chomsky, Noam. 1995. The Minimalist Program. MIT Press.
  • Hornstein, Norbert, Jairo Nunes, and Kleanthes Grohmann. 2005. Understanding Minimalism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  • Članki iz različnih revij, predvsem iz Linguistic Inquiry, Natural Language and Linguistic Theory, Syntax, Lingua etc.
  • Izročki izdani pri predavanjih

Assessment

  1. In-class participation 2. Term paper

Lecturer's references

MARUŠIČ, Franc, ŽAUCER, Rok. O določnem ta v pogovorni slovenščini (z navezavo na določno obliko pridevnika). Slavistična revija. [Tiskana izd.], jan.-jun. 2007, letn. 55, št. 1/2, str. 223-247. http://www.srl.si/sql_pdf/SRL_2007_1-2_15.pdf. [COBISS.SI-ID 700923]
MARUŠIČ, Franc. Some thoughts on phase extension to a single interface. Theor. linguist., 2007, vol. 33, no. 1, str. 83-91. [COBISS.SI-ID 637947]
MARUŠIČ, Franc, ŽAUCER, Rok. On the intensional feel-like construction in Slovenian : a case of a phonologically null verb. Nat. lang. linguist. theory, vol. 24, no. 4, str. 1093-1159. [COBISS.SI-ID 589563]
LARSON, Richard K., MARUŠIČ, Franc. On indefinite pronoun structures with APs : reply to Kishimoto. Linguist. inq., 2004, vol. 35, no. 2, str. 268-287. [COBISS.SI-ID 472315]