Grammar and its interfaces

Code
570523
Credits
5cr

Goals

This course presents the core grammatical topics that a theory of language must study at the morphology- and syntax-phonology interface and the syntax-semantics interface. It introduces some case studies that are specially relevant in theoretical and experimental linguistics. 

At the end of the course, students should be acquainted with: 

  • Current theoretical perspectives on the morphology- and syntax-phonology interface and the syntax-semantics interface.
  • An overview of some hot topics that are currently being investigated in formal approaches to these interfaces. 

 

Contents

BLOCK I: Eulàlia Bonet

1. Phonology and the mapping from lexical phonological structure to surface representation

2. The relations between morphology and phonology

3. Phonological effects in the selection of allomorphs

4. The syntax-phonology interface

 

BLOCK 2: Maria Teresa Espinal

5. Logical Form. Syntactic structures and semantic/conceptual structures

6. Reference and referential opacity

7. Reference to kinds and to other generic expressions

8. Weak definites

9. Negation and polarity

 

Evaluation

The assessment for this course will be based on two exams, each contributing 30% towards the final grade. The first exam will evaluate topics covered in teaching blocks 1-4, while the second exam will assess material covered in teaching blocks 5-9. These exams will require students to demonstrate not only a solid understanding of the course material, but also critical thinking and effective writing skills. Students will be expected to apply their knowledge to tackle novel empirical and analytical problems.

Furthermore, an additional 40% of the final grade will be allocated to the completion and presentation of exercises. This component aims to assess students’ ability to use their knowledge and apply it in new discussions, enhancing their overall learning experience.

Re-evaluation: In the event that a student receives a final grade below 5 (within the range of 3 - 4.9), they may opt for a re-evaluation via a single final exam if they intend to pass the course. Successful completion of this exam will result in a final grade of 5.

 

Examination-based assessment

Under exceptional and justified circumstances a single examination (100% of the grade) can be scheduled. 

Re-evaluation of this assessment can only be considered for students having failed with grades ranging from 3 to 4.9. The maximum final grade can only be 5.

 

References

BLOCK 1:

Bermúdez-Otero, R. (2018). Stratal phonology. In S.J. Hannahs & A. R. K. Bosch (eds), The Routledge Handbook of Phonological Theory, 100-134. London: Routledge. [2]

Bonet, E. (2023). Phonologically conditioned allomorphy. In P. Ackema, S. Bendjaballah, E. Bonet & A. Fábregas (eds), The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Morphology, 1736-1760. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell. [3]

Embick, D. (2010). Localism versus Globalism in Morphology and Phonology. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press. [2]

Elfner, E. (2018). The syntax-prosody interface: current theoretical approaches and outstanding questions. The Linguistics Vanguard 4: pp. 20160081. https://doi.org/10.1515/lingvan-2016-0081. [4]

Inkelas, S. 2011. The interaction between phonology and morphology. In J. Goldsmith, J. Riggle & A. C. L. Yu (eds.), The Handbook of Phonological Theory. 2nd edition, 68-102. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell. [2]

Ishihara, S. & Kalivoda, N. (2022). Match Theory: an overview. Language and Linguistics Compass e12446. https://doi.org/10.1111/lnc3.12446. [4]

McCarthy, J. (2007). What is Optimality Theory? Language and Linguistics Compass 93. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.umass.edu/linguist_faculty_pubs/93. [1]

McCarthy, J. (2007) Derivations and levels of representation. The Cambridge Handbook of Phonology 33. Retrived from: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/linguist_faculty_pubs/33. [1]

McCarthy, J. (2008). Doing Optimality Theory: Applying Theory to Data. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell. [1]

Nevins, A. (2011). Phonologically conditioned allomorph selection. In M. van Oostendorp, C. J. Ewen, E. Hume, K. Rice (eds), The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Phonology, 2357-2382. Oxford, Wiley-Blackwell. [3]

Trommer, J. (ed.). 2012. The Morphology and Phonology of Exponence. Oxford: Oxford University Press. [2]

BLOCK 2:

Bach, E. (1989). Informal Lectures on Formal Semantics. Albany: SUNY Press.

Espinal, M.T. (coord.), J. Macià, J. Mateu & J. Quer. (2014). Semántica. Madrid: Akal.

Gutiérrez-Rexach, J. (2003). Semantics. Critical Concepts and Linguistics. 6 vols. London: Routledge.

Gutiérrez-Rexach, J. (2016). Interfaces and Domains of Quantification. Ohio: Ohio State University Press.

Kearns, K. (2000, 2011). Semantics. New York: Palgrave.

Maienborn, C., K. von Heusinger & P. Portner (2011) (eds.). Semantics. An International Handbook of Natural Language Meaning; Volumes 1, 2 and 3. (HSK 33.1). Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.

Portner, P. & B. H. Partee (eds.) (2002). Formal Semantics. The Essential Readings. Oxford: Blackwell.