04673nam 2200697Ia 450 991077849740332120230515114711.01-282-29663-997866122966353-11-021926-310.1515/9783110219265(CKB)1000000000790082(EBL)453957(OCoLC)636354522(SSID)ssj0000342437(PQKBManifestationID)11245831(PQKBTitleCode)TC0000342437(PQKBWorkID)10285013(PQKB)11521043(MiAaPQ)EBC453957(DE-B1597)36695(OCoLC)979583720(DE-B1597)9783110219265(Au-PeEL)EBL453957(CaPaEBR)ebr10329811(CaONFJC)MIL229663(EXLCZ)99100000000079008220050729d2005 uy 0engur||#||||||||txtccrRhythmic grammar[electronic resource] the influence of rhythm on grammatical variation and change in English /by Julia SchlüterBerlin ;New York Mouton de Gruyter20051 online resource (408 p.)Topics in English linguistics ;46Description based upon print version of record.3-11-018607-1 Includes bibliographical references and index.Frontmatter --Contents --Abbreviations and symbols --Chapter 1. Introduction --Chapter 2. The Principle of Rhythmic Alternation introduced --Chapter 3. Methodology --Chapter 4. Analysis of attributive structures --Chapter 5. Analysis of verbal and adverbial structures --Chapter 6. Theoretical implications --Chapter 7. Conclusion --BackmatterThis groundbreaking book highlights a phonological preference, the Principle of Rhythmic Alternation, as a factor in grammatical variation and change in English from the early modern period to the present. Though frequently overlooked in earlier research, the phonetically motivated avoidance of adjacent stresses is shown to exert an influence on a wide variety of phenomena in morphology and syntax. Based on in-depth analyses of extensive electronic databases, the book presents 20 exemplary studies from different structural categories. Among them are much-debated as well as novel issues, including the double comparative worser, 'predicative only' a- adjectives, variant past participles, the placement of the degree modifier quite, the order of conjuncts in binomials, the negation of attributive adjectives and sentence adverbs, variable adverbial marking, the use or omission of the infinitive marker, and the a- prefix before - ing forms. The studies provide qualitative and quantitative evidence of the importance of rhythmic alternation in synchronic variation as well as diachronic change, without neglecting interactions with a set of competing functional tendencies. Thus, the book contributes essential aspects to the description and explanation of the phenomena considered, calling for a fundamental revision of current thinking about the interface between phonology and morphosyntax. In addition, the empirical findings are brought to bear on theoretical discussions of more general interest, yielding a critical assessment of the merits and limitations of two nonmodular linguistic theories: Optimality Theory and spreading activation models. The latter type is developed into a comprehensive conception integrating functional factors such as the Principle of Rhythmic Alternation in an overarching framework for language variation and change. The wide range of subject areas covered makes the volume essential reading and a source of inspiration for linguists with interests as diverse as the phonology-morphosyntax interface, English grammar, the history of English, functional linguistics, Optimality Theory, as well as neuro- and psycholinguistics.Topics in English linguistics ;46.English languageRhythmEnglish languageGrammar, HistoricalEnglish languageVariationEnglish /language.Phonology.language change.English languageRhythm.English languageGrammar, Historical.English languageVariation.425Schlüter Julia1973-1529287MiAaPQMiAaPQMiAaPQBOOK9910778497403321Rhythmic grammar3773419UNINA