An examination of the syntactic consequences of a notionalist grammar assumption supports the differentiation of major word classes in terms of combinations of notional features and predication or nominality components. (35 references) (Author/CB)

Discusses two major theories regarding the origin of the Portuguese inflected infinitive: the imperfect subjunctive theory and the creative theory. Because the inflected infinitive is already established by the time of the earliest documents in Portuguese, no hard evidence exists that would permit a definite solution to the riddle of its…

How syntax affects sentence prosody is explored. It is demonstrated that the lengthening of phase-final words and pausing afterward reflect a distinctly prosodic representation in which phonological constituents are arranged in a hierarchical nonrecursive structure. A model of prosodic pronunciation is also presented. (SLD)

Event-related brain potentials were recorded while subjects listened to sentences containing a controlled infinitival complement. Subject and object control items were used, both with 2 potential antecedents in the upper clause. Half of the sentences had a gender agreement violation between the null subject of the infinitival complement and an…

This paper presents an alternative analysis of tough constructions for N. Chomsky's 1981 wh-movement analysis of tough constructions. To replace Chomsky's solution and to obviate the need for generalized transformations in Government-Binding (GB) theory, an alternative analysis is proposed in which the tough subject originates as an embedded…

Inverted sentence order (order other than subject-verb-object) may be used to mimic the rhythm of real dialogue; give the play-by-play announcer time to come up with the player's name; indicate the relative importance of the subject, verb, and object; distribute information; and indicate connection with prior information. As a stylistic option,…

THE DIALECT OF BIKOL SPOKEN IN NAGA CITY, THE PHILIPPINES, IS DESCRIBED IN THIS SHORT ANALYSIS OF THE MOST BASIC BIKOL STRUCTURAL PATTERNS. IT IS ASSUMED THAT THE READER HAS LINGUISTIC TRAINING OR IS A STUDENT OF BIKOL (SEE ALSO AL 000 502, "BIKOL LESSONS"). PHONOLOGY AND DIALECT DIFFERENCES ARE VERY BRIEFLY DISCUSSED. EXAMPLES ARE GIVEN FOR EACH…

The behavior of the "It's...who..." type of construction and its relation to defining and non-defining relative clauses is examined. Reference is made particularly to suprasegmental features. Parallels are drawn to French relative constructions. (SCC)

Urges that a distinction between "grammatical knowledge" and "grammatical description" be maintained in every aspect of language instruction and in preparation of instructional materials. (RL)

Based on a paper read at the third Annual Conference of the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language in London, England, December 1969. (DS)

A discussion of the views of various linguists on the future tense in English, followed by a scheme for classifying expressions of futurity. To be continued in a future issue. (FB)

One problem with readability formulas is that they are generally calculated on factors at the sentence and subsentence level. However, the representation of text through information structures is equally important. The complexity of information structures and their realizations will affect reading difficulty and should be incorporated into…