A Performance Theory of Order and Constituency (Cambridge Studies in Linguistics, Series Number 73)

In this major new book John A. Hawkins presents a new theory of linear ordering in syntax. He argues that processing can provide a simple, functional explanation for syntactic rules of ordering, as well as for the selection among ordering variants in languages and structures in which variation is possible. Insights from generative syntax, typological studies of language universals, and psycholinguistic studies of language processing are combined to show that there is a profound correspondence between performance and grammar. The major ordering principle proposed, Early Immediate Constituents, is tested on performance data from ten distinct languages. The result is a unified theory of free and fixed word orders, in which ordering is driven by efficient structure recognition. This major work will be welcomed by a wide cross-section of readers in syntax, language typology, psycholinguistics, and cognitive science. 1. Introduction. 1.1. A Processing Approach To Syntax. 1.2. Some Proposed Processing Explanations For Grammar. 1.3. Some Problems For Processing Explanations. 1.4. The Approach Of The Present Book. 1.5. Towards A Theory Of Language Universals -- 2. The Gramaticalization Of Processing Principles. 2.1. How Is A Processing Principle Expressed In A Grammar? 2.2. A Theory Of Structural Complexity. 2.3. Complexity Predictions For Grammatical Variation Across Languages. 2.4. Structural Domains And Their Semantic Correlates -- 3. Early Immediate Constituents. 3.1. The Basic Idea. 3.2. Some Principles Of Parsing. 3.3. Some Preliminary Evidence For Eic. 3.4. Defining And Measuring Eic. 3.5. Eic Predictions For Performance. 3.6. Eic Predictions For The Grammar. 3.7. Eic's Predictions For Typologically Different Structures. 3.8. The Relationship Of Eic To Other Principles -- 4. Testing Eic's Performance Predictions. 4.1. Arrangements Of Free Word Orders In Multiple Branching Structures. John A. Hawkins. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 470-482) And Indexes.

In this major new book, John A. Hawkins presents a new theory of linear ordering in syntax. He argues that processing can provide a simple, functional explanation for syntactic rules of ordering, as well as for the selection among ordering variants in languages and structures in which variation is possible. Insights from generative syntax, typological studies of language universals, and psycholinguistic studies of language processing are combined to show that there is a profound correspondence between performance and grammar.

This is the first book to systematically investigate the processing basis of syntactic rules and of cross-linguistic regularities. Other areas of syntax that are discussed include universals of relative clause formation and the head of phrase generalization.