Textbook: Modern Syntax, 2011, by Andrew Carnie, Cambridge University Press.
Additional Readings. • Martin Haspelmath (to appear). How to compare major ...
Ling 120: Introduction to Syntax and Semantics Spring 2013
Instructor: TAs: Meetings:
Peter Jenks Florian Lionnet Christine Sheil MWF 10–11am
Email
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 3 Laconte
Office 1217 Dwinelle 1307 Dwinelle 1307 Dwinelle
Office hours M 11–12p, Th 10–11a W 11a-12p, Th 10-11a Tu 10-11a, W 12–1p
Description: Syntax is the study of the sentence structure of natural languages. Semantics is the way that these sentences are interpreted. In this class we will develop a formal theory which describes the class of well-formed sentences for much of English and for parts of other languages. Along the way, we will discuss the importance of having an explicit, predictive theory, and develop the basics of syntactic argumentation. While the focus will mostly be on syntax, we will discuss important aspects of linguistic meaning such as tense and aspect, reference, predication, and argument structure. Textbook: Modern Syntax, 2011, by Andrew Carnie, Cambridge University Press. Additional Readings • Martin Haspelmath (to appear). How to compare major word-classes across the worlds languages. • Richard Hudson (2004). Are determiners heads? Functions of Language, 11, 7-42. • Arnold M. Zwicky and Geoffrey K. Pullum (1983). Cliticization vs. Inflection: English N’T. Language 59, 502-513. Attendance: If you miss class or section, you will fall behind and do poorly. Much of the material we cover in class is not in your reading. Homework: The class will have 11 homework assignments, worth 20 points each. You will have one week to complete each homework assignment, from Friday to the following Friday. Homework assignments are due at the beginning of class as a hard copy. These homework assignments form a major component of your grade and you should work on them diligently. You can work with your classmates, but the work that you submit must be your own. Please indicate at the top of each homework who else in the class you discussed your homework with or worked with. If there is evidence that you have copied someone else’s homework, you will not receive credit for that homework and disciplinary action may be taken. Academic misconduct can result in a failing grade. Late homework submissions are accepted, but with a penalty. If the homework is submitted after the class on the same day, you will be penalized 5 points. Submitted any later, you will be penalized 10 points, or half of the value of the homework. Midterm: There will be one in-class midterm in week 9, on Friday, March 22. Final Exam: The final exam will be in class, on Tuesday May 14, from 3-6pm. Grading: Your grades are out of a total of 500 points:
Grade Values Homeworks (x12) Midterm Final Exam Total
240 100 160 500 points
B+ C+ D+ F
435–449 385–399 335–349 0–299 1
A B C D
Scale 465–500 415–434 365–384 315–334
ABCD-
450–464 400–414 350–364 300–314
Schedule The schedule below lists the dates of class meetings, readings, homework assignments, and tests. All readings are listed by the date they are assigned and should be completed by the following class. W EEK 1 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
D AY Wed Fri Mon Wed Fri Mon Wed Fri Mon Wed Fri Mon Wed Fri Mon Wed Fri Mon Wed Fri Mon Wed Fri Mon Wed Fri Mon Wed Fri Mon Wed Fri Mon Wed Fri Mon Wed Fri Mon Wed Fri
D ATE Jan 23 Jan 25 Jan 28 Jan 30 Feb 1 Feb 4 Feb 6 Feb 8 Feb 11 Feb 13 Feb 15 Feb 18 Feb 20 Feb 22 Feb 25 Feb 27 Mar 1 Mar 4 Mar 6 Mar 8 Mar 11 Mar 13 Mar 15 Mar 18 Mar 20 Mar 22 Mar 25-29 Apr 1 Apr 3 Apr 5 Apr 8 Apr 10 Apr 12 Apr 15 Apr 17 Apr 19 Apr 22 Apr 24 Apr 26 Apr 29 May 1 May 3
T OPIC Preliminaries Categories
Subcategories: nouns
Subcategories: verbs
R EADING Carnie, Unit 1-2 Carnie, Unit 3 Carnie, Unit 4 Carnie, Unit 5 Haspelmath 2012 Carnie, Unit 6 Carnie, Unit 7 Carnie, Unit 8 Carnie, Unit 9 Carnie, Unit 10 Carnie, Unit 11
HW
HW 1 due
HW 2 due
HW 3 due
(President’s Day) Constituency NO CLASS
Complements/objects
Specifiers/subjects
Carnie, Unit 12 Carnie, Unit 13 Carnie, Unit 14 Hudson 2004 Carnie, Unit 15 Carnie, Unit 16
Tagging
HW 4 due
HW 5 due
HW 6 due Carnie, Unit 17 Carnie, Unit 18
Adjuncts
HW 7 due Midterm review Carnie, Unit 19
M IDTERM SPRING BREAK Passives
Carnie, Unit 20 Carnie, Unit 21
HW 8 due
Control & Raising
Carnie, Unit 22 Carnie, Unit 23
HW 9 due
Head-movement
Zwicky & Pullum
HW 10 due
Carnie, Unit 24 Carnie, Unit 25 Carnie, Unit 26
HW 11 due
Wh-movement
Theories of syntax HW 12 due
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