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Understanding Syntax

Maggie Tallerman author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:4th Dec '19

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

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Understanding Syntax cover

Assuming no prior grammatical knowledge, Understanding Syntax explains and illustrates the major concepts, categories and terminology involved in the study of cross-linguistic syntax. Taking a theory-neutral and descriptive viewpoint throughout, this book:

  • introduces syntactic typology, syntactic description and the major typological categories found in the languages of the world;
  • clarifies with examples grammatical constructions and relationships between words in a clause, including word classes and their syntactic properties; grammatical relations such as subject and object; case and agreement processes; passives; questions and relative clauses;
  • features in-text and chapter-end exercises to extend the reader’s knowledge of syntactic concepts and argumentation, drawing on data from over 100 languages;
  • highlights the principles involved in writing a brief syntactic sketch of language.

This fifth edition has been revised and updated to include extended exercises in all chapters, updated further readings, and more extensive checklists for students. Accompanying e-resources have also been updated to include hints for instructors and additional links to further reading.

Understanding Syntax is an essential textbook for students studying the description of language, cross-linguistic syntax, language typology and linguistic fieldwork.

'Understanding Syntax is an essential resource for any student of syntax. Written in a lively, accessible style, Tallerman uses a great range of examples from across the world’s languages to introduce the most important concepts in the study of grammar in a clear and comprehensive way. This is one of my favourite textbooks – I can’t recommend it highly enough.'

Diane Nelson, University of Leeds, UK


"Understanding Syntax is an essential resource for any student of syntax. Written in a lively, accessible style, Tallerman uses a great range of examples from across the world’s languages to introduce the most important concepts in the study of grammar in a clear and comprehensive way. This is one of my favourite textbooks – I can’t recommend it highly enough."

Diane Nelson, University of Leeds, UK

ISBN: 9780367198411

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 620g

350 pages

5th edition