1st Edition

Thematic Theory in Syntax and Interpretation

By Robin Clark Copyright 1990
    274 Pages
    by Routledge

    274 Pages
    by Routledge

    In recent years, lexical argument structure, in the guise of thematic roles, has come to play an increasingly important part in syntactic theory. The first part of this book, first published in 1990, explores the interplay between thematic role assignment and movement processes, with particular reference to the explanatory problem of nominalisation. The second part explores the relationship between thematic roles and control.

    Particularly close attention is paid to implicit arguments, arbitrary control and adverbs of quantification. A theory of control is presented which unifies obligatory and non-obligatory control. The theory of control, furthermore, generalises to account for the binding gaps in purposive clauses, tough movement constructions, infinitival clauses and other constructions which have typically been analysed as involving long-distance dependencies. This title will be of interest to students of linguistics.

    Preface;  1. Introduction  2. On a Certain Class of Nominals  3. Thematic Domains and Bounding  4. Control and Non-Overt Operators;  Notes;  References;  Index

    Biography

    Robin Clark