Theoretical Approaches to Comparative Syntax

Cambridge University Press eBooks, pp. 23–74

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the various approaches to theoretical modeling of syntactic variation in human language. Three main types of syntactic variation, i.e., word order variation, silence and doubling, are described and then used to demonstrate how different generative theories capture these phenomena. The generative theories discussed include Transformational Generative Grammar (TGG), Government and Binding (GB) Theory, Minimalism (including Optimality Theory), Nanosyntax, Distributed Morphology, and post-GB Parameter Theory (including parameter hierarchies and the Universal Spine Hypothesis). Taking into account a great many different languages and dialects, the chapter shows that strong progress has been made in our understanding of the nature, range, and limits of syntactic variation.

Authors 3

1. Sjef Barbiers Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Universiteit Leiden

2. Guido Vanden Wyngaerd
3. Jenneke van der Wal