Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Flexible Syntax

A Theory of Case and Arguments

  • Book
  • © 1999

Overview

Authors:
  1. Ad Neeleman

    1. Department of Phonetics and Linguistics, University College London, UK

    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

  2. Fred Weerman

    1. Utrecht Institute of Linguistics OTS, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Part of the book series: Studies in Natural Language and Linguistic Theory (SNLT, volume 47)

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this book

Log in via an institution
eBook USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access

Licence this eBook for your library

Institutional subscriptions

Table of contents (7 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-ix
    Download chapter PDF

  2. Prologue

    • Ad Neeleman, Fred Weerman
    Pages 1-16

  3. The OV/VO Parameter

    • Ad Neeleman, Fred Weerman
    Pages 17-58

  4. Morphological Case

    • Ad Neeleman, Fred Weerman
    Pages 59-103

  5. Prepositional Complements

    • Ad Neeleman, Fred Weerman
    Pages 105-143

  6. Raising to Subject

    • Ad Neeleman, Fred Weerman
    Pages 145-178

  7. Head Marking

    • Ad Neeleman, Fred Weerman
    Pages 179-221

  8. Epilogue

    • Ad Neeleman, Fred Weerman
    Pages 223-229

  9. Back Matter

    Pages 231-257
    Download chapter PDF
Back to top

Keywords

About this book

Most linguistic theories assume that each grammatical relation is established in a unique structural configuration. Neeleman and Weerman take issue with this view, arguing for a more flexible approach on the basis of conceptual considerations and data taken mostly, but not exclusively, from the Germanic languages. In-depth analyses of word order phenomena as well as diachronic and typological generalizations motivate a re-evaluation of the role of case in the projection of arguments. Case is shown to provide a syntactic foothold for thematic interpretation, something which is necessary in a grammar that does not allow fixed theta-positions. Thus, this study does not only offer a genuine alternative to many standard assumptions, it also explains why there should be such a thing as case in natural language.

Reviews

`This book presents very innovative and original ideas, and an impressive variety of data and problems to be accounted for.'
Alex Alsina
`I enjoyed the book a lot and found it very stimulating. In my opinion, it is a very good piece of work.'
Denis Bouchard

Authors and Affiliations

  • Department of Phonetics and Linguistics, University College London, UK

    Ad Neeleman

  • Utrecht Institute of Linguistics OTS, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

    Fred Weerman

Bibliographic Information

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Back to top

Search

Navigation