This article proposes a formal model of the human language faculty that accommodates the possibility of 'attrition' (modification or loss) of morphosyntactic properties in a first language. Modeling L1 grammatical attrition entails a quite fundamental paradox: if the structure of the language faculty in principle allows for attrition of…

This dissertation offers a novel account of the syntax of sentence adverbs. The need for a new account is clear from the lack of descriptive coverage and theoretical coherence in current work on adverbial syntax. Descriptively, the majority of work has so far neglected the fact that sentence adverbs behave syntactically like typical focusing…

This dissertation introduces Minimal Reduplication, a new theory and framework within generative grammar for analyzing reduplication in human language. I argue that reduplication is an emergent property in multiple components of the grammar. In particular, reduplication occurs independently in the phonology and syntax components, and in both cases…

In an attempt to explain first language attrition in emigrant populations, this paper investigates the explanatory power of a framework that has--until now--received little attention: the regression hypothesis (Jakobson, 1941). This hypothesis predicts that the order of attrition is the reverse of the order of acquisition. The regression…

Semantic neology is studied, and the theories of several linguistis on neology are examined. Particular emphasis is placed on the work of Noam Chomsky. (Text is in French.) (PMP)

This bibliography of generative-based grammatical analyses of Spanish provides an enumerative supplemental listing of entries not included in two recently published annotated, critical bibliographies (Nuessel, 1978, 1979). The majority of the entries of this supplemental document cover the period of 1976-1979, but a few entries date before 1976.…

A survey of the history of linguistic theory concerning grammar in the United States traces the development of theory since 1910. It begins with a general historical review of American linguistics. The subsequent three chapters focus on grammar. The first of these deals with morphology, beginning with Leonard Bloomfield's ideas in both his early…

A generative theory of language and dialect is described. Selected features of Southern American morphosyntax, and their relationship to the phrase structure rules of other American English systems, are investigated. Southern and other systems can be classified on structural criteria as dialects of one language. (SCC)

Discusses Italian adverbs that undergo gender/number agreement with noun phrases in particular environments and shows that the rules accounting for this agreement must be global. Classification of relevant adjectives and adverbs, and semantic considerations are discussed. Available from the MIT Press, 28 Carleton Street, Cambridge, MA 02142. (CLK)

The article begins with a historical background of systemic generative grammar and continues with an analysis of it on a syntactic level. The topics examined are: grammatical output, functions and properties, form, embedding and discontinuity, coordinate constructions, immediate constituents, the lexicon, phonology and morphology, and semantics.…

Reflexives in Japanese and English show a number of interesting differences. Morphologically, there is a single form "jibun" ("jishin") in Japanese, which does not vary for person or number. In English there are various forms which always agree in person and number ("myself,""himself,""themselves,"…

An analysis of the derivation of "why" and other interrogative adverbs shows that they do not involve the movement of NP's, and therefore do not present counter-examples to the NP Ecology Constraint. (Author/HP)

Traditional Latin word classes are seen in relation to modern grammatical theory. (Text is in French.) (PMP)