The Syntax of Early English

by Olga Fischer, Ans van Kemenade, Willem Koopman, Wim van der Wurff

Overview

This book is a guide to the development of English syntax between the Old and Modern periods. Beginning with an overview of the main features of early English syntax, it gives a unified account of the significant grammatical changes that occurred during this period. Four leading experts demonstrate how these changes can be explained in terms of grammatical theory and the theory of language acquisition. Drawing on a wealth of empirical data, the book covers a wide range of topics including changes in word order, infinitival constructions and grammaticalization processes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521554107
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/04/2001
Series:	Cambridge Syntax Guides
Pages:	360
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.83(d)
Lexile:	1620L (what's this?)

Table of Contents

1. Language change and grammar change; 2. An outline of Old English syntax; 3. An outline of Middle English syntax; 4. The Verb Second constraint and its loss; 5. The loss of object-verb word order; 6. Verb-particles in Old and Middle English; 7. Changes in infinitival constructions; 8. The history of the 'easy to please' construction; 9. Grammaticalization and grammar change.

Editorial Reviews

'This book is amongst the most coherent discussions of central 'problems' in the processes of change in the syntax of English yet published.' The Linguist

From the Publisher