The Syntax-Morphology Interface: A Study of Syncretism

Book Details

• Author: Matthew Baerman

• Brand: Cambridge University Press

• Edition: 1

• Binding: Paperback

• Number of Pages: 281

• Release Date: 12-03-2009

• Languages: English

About the Book

"Syncretism" is a fascinating topic in linguistics, where a single form serves multiple morphosyntactic functions, creating a mismatch between the syntax and morphology of a language. In this groundbreaking study, Matthew Baerman explores the persistent problem of inflectional syncretism, offering a comprehensive typology of its occurrence across a diverse range of languages.

The book delves into the implications of syncretism for the syntax-morphology interface, presenting a compelling argument for the autonomy of morphology. Baerman's analysis challenges traditional models of linguistic structure, suggesting that either a richer model of feature structure is necessary or that morphological structure operates independently of syntactic structure.

This work is a significant contribution to the field, particularly for linguists interested in the intricate relationship between words and the larger linguistic units they form. Through formal case studies within Network Morphology, the book provides both theoretical insight and practical applications, making it essential reading for those exploring syntax, morphology, and their interaction in language.