Syntax (I)

Fall 2004
Instructor: I-wen Su
Time: Tuesday 9:30-12:30 E-mail: iwensu@ntu.edu.tw


Course Objective and Course Description
This course aims to provide an introduction to the basic concepts used in the description of functional syntax. Differences between functional and formal approaches to linguistic explanation will be pointed out via the analysis of a set of grammatical phenomena, such as clause structure and grammatical relations, from the semantic and pragmatic dimensions of functional theory. Topics on cognition and grammar, discourse analysis and grammaticalization, as aspects of an over-all functional framework for explaining syntactic structure, will be touched upon.

Course Requirements
1. Reading assignments (textbook and supplement readings)
2. Oral reports and class participation
3. Written assignments and one term paper due at the end of the semester

Textbook
Givon, Talmy (1993) English Grammar: A Functional-based Introduction.
Vols. 1-2. Amsterdam: Benjamins.
Givon, Talmy (1995) Functionalism and Grammar.
Amsterdam: Benjamins.
Additional readings as listed in the syllabus.

Course Content by Topics

Formalism and Functionalism
Functional Approach vs. Typological Approach
Markedness as meta-Iconicity
The Functional Basis of Grammatical Typology
Modal Prototypes of Truth and Action
Taking Structure Seriously
The Distribution of Grammar in Text
Grammar and Cognition
On the Co-evolution of Language, Mind and Brain



Tentative Schedule

Sept.14,2004 Formalism and Functionalism
Leech, G. (1983) Principles of Pragmatics. London: Longman. Ch. 3

Sept. 21 Functional Approach vs. Typological Approach (G-1)
Givon, T. (2001) Syntax. Amsterdam: Benjamins. Ch. 1

Oct. 12 Markedness as meta-Iconicity (G-2)
Chafe, Wallace. “Integration and Involvement in Speaking,
Writing, and Oral Literature ”, In Tannen, Deborah (ed. 1982)
Spoken and Written Language: Exploring Orality and Literacy.
Norwood, NJ: Ablex..

Oct. 19 The Functional Basis of Grammatical Typology (G-3)
The Functional Basis of Grammatical Typology
Givon, Talmy. “From Discourse to Syntax: Grammar as a Processing
Strategy,” In Syntax and Semantics, vol. 12, pp.81-112 (1972).

Oct. 26 Modal Prototypes of Truth and Action (G-4)
Nov. 2 Modal Prototypes of Truth and Action
Traugott E. (1989) “On the Rise of Epistemic Meanings in
English: An Example of Subjectification in Semantic Change”, Language 65:1.

Nov. 9 Taking Structure Seriously I (G-5)
Nov. 16 Taking Structure Seriously I
Givon, T. (1991) “Serial Verbs and the Mental Reality of ‘Event’:
Grammatical vs. Cognitive Packaging”, in B. Heine and
E. Traugott (eds. 1991), Approaches to Grammaticalization, TSL19.

Nov. 30 Taking Structure Seriously II (G-6)
Hopper, Paul. “Ergative, Passive, and Active in Malay Narrative.”
In Discourse Perspectives on Syntax (1983).

Dec. 9 Taking Structure Seriously II
Fox, B. and S. Thompson (1990) A discourse Explanation of the
Grammar of Relative Clauses in English Conversation,” Language 66: 297-316.

Dec. 16 The Distribution of Grammar in Text (G-7)
The Distribution of Grammar in Text
Traugott, E. & R. Dasher. “The Development of Adverbials
with Discourse Marker Function,” In Traugott & Dasher (2002),
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, Ch. 4, 152-187.


Dec. 23 Coming to Terms with Cognition
Sweetser, Eve. “Reasoning, Mapping, and Meta-metaphorical
Conditionals,” in Shibatani, M. & S. Thompson (eds. 1996).
Grammatical Constructions: Their Form and Meaning,
Oxford: Clarendon, 221-234.

Dec. 30 On the Co-evolution of Language, Mind and Brain (G-9)
Kay, Paul, C. Fillmore & M. O’Connor. “Regularity and Idiomaticity
in Grammatical Constructions: The Case of Let Alone.” In Kay
Paul. (1997). Words and The Grammar of Context. Stanford:
CSLI. Ch. 1, pp. 1-48.

Jan. 4,2005 Oral presentation of term paper



References

Abraham, W., T. Givon & S. Thompson. (eds. 1995) Discourse Grammar and
Typology. Amsterdam: Benjamins.

Bybee, J. & S. Fleischman (eds. 1995) Modality in Grammar and Discourse
TSL#32. Amsterdam: Benjamins.
Cooreman, A. (1988) “Ergativity in Dyirbal Discourse” Lingua, 26.

Givon, T. (ed. 1979) On Understanding Grammar. NY: Academic.

Givon, T. (ed. 1994) Voice and Inversion, TSL #28, Amsterdam: Benjamins.

Fox, B. and P. Hopper (eds. 1994) Voice: Form and Function, TSL #27,
Amsterdam: Benjamins.

Hopper, P. and S. Thompson (1980) “Transitivity in Grammar and Discourse”,
Language 56.2.

Ramsay, V. (1987) “The Functional Distribution of Pre-posed and Post-posed ‘If’
and ‘When’ Clauses in Written Discourse” in R. Tomlin (ed. 1987) Coherence and Grounding in Discourse, TSL #11, Amsterdam: Benjamins.

Slobin, D. (1987) “Thinking for Speaking” BLS #13.
Berkeley: Berkeley Linguistics Society.

Tannen, D. (ed. 1982) Spoken and Written Language: Exploring Orality and
Literacy. Norwood, NJ: ABLEX.

Traugott, E. (1988) “Pragmatic Strengthening and Grammaticalization” BLS #14.
Berkeley: Berkeley Linguistics Society.