Government and Binding Theory is as simple as the approached used in teaching it. Due to the conventions of its framework, some of the good texts on the theory are often too difficult for average linguistics readers especially those that are not in the syntax sub-field. This book is therefore written to remove some of the barriers that hinder beginners from developing interest in the theory.
The book does not give detailed discussion. This is deliberate in order to prevent beginners from being scared. Therefore, the text is expected to be read in a very short time. During this period, readers should be able to have an overview of the theory. Some exercises were also provided for regular assessments.
Attempting those exercises will expose readers to some basic operations in the theory. Although, those questions may not require accurate answers; however, readers should attempt them even when the answers provided do not seem to be correct.
This text differs from other introductory texts in GB. First, it is not as detailed as other introductory texts written for GB. Second, it is easier to understand. Third, it is written for people who might not have had any strong grip of the theory. Therefore, this book should be seen as a starter pack for students before they will even be competent to read the well-known introductory texts. The focus on the basic terms may look too simple for people that are already acquainted with the theory since can easily use some of the popular introductory texts. However, this text can still be recommended to students by lecturers who want them to have a broad overview of the theoretical aspect before going deep into the data-driven aspect being used in natural language analysis.
Table of Contents
1. X-BAR THEORY
1.1 PROJECTION PRINCIPLE
1.2 X-BAR: THE INTERMEDIATE CATEGORY
1.3 PHRASE STRUCTURE PARAMETERS
1.4 FUNCTIONAL PROJECTIONS OF THE SENTENCE AS A PHRASE (THE IP AND THE CP)
1.5 OTHER FUNCTIONAL PHRASES
1.5.1 Determiner Phrase (DP)
1.5.2 Tense Phrase
1.5.3 Agreement Phrases
2. THETA THEORY
2.0 INTRODUCTION
2.1 ARGUMENTS
2.2 THETA ROLE ASSIGNMENT
2.3 THETA AND MOVEMENT OF ARGUMENTS
3. CASE THEORY
3.0 INTRODUCTION
3.1 ABSTRACT CASE
3.2 STRUCTURAL CASE
3.3 CASE ASSIGNMENT
4. GOVERNMENT THEORY
4.0 INTRODUCTION
4.1 INTERACTIONS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND CASE THEORIES
4.2 INFLECTION AS A GOVERNOR
4.3 ‘SMALL CLAUSES’
5. BINDING THEORY
5.0 INTRODUCTION
5.1 THE THREE PRINCIPLES
5.2 PRO AS AN NP
6. CONTROL THEORY
6.0 INTRODUCTION
6.1 ARBITRARY CONTROL
6.2 OBLIGATORY CONTROL
6.3 OPTIONAL CONTROL
6.4 SUBJECT CONTROL AND OBJECT CONTROL
7. BOUNDING THEORY
7.0 INTRODUCTION
7.1 NP MOVEMENT
7.2 PASSIVE AND RAISING CONSTRUCTIONS
7.3 ERGATIVE CONSTRUCTION
7.4 APPLICATION OF BINDING THEORY TO THE NP TRACE
7.5 WH- MOVEMENT
7.6 CONSTRAINTS FOR WH- MOVEMENT
7.6.1 THAT-TRACE FILTER
7.6.2 ISLAND CONSTRAINT
7.7 WH-TRACE AND THE BINDING THEORY
7.8 CROSSOVER EFFECT
8. SHORT CHAPTER-BY-CHAPTER REVIEW EXERCISES
Target Audience and Core Themes
This handbook provides an accessible, concise entry point into the Government and Binding (GB) theory of syntax, specifically designed for beginners who need to grasp foundational concepts before engaging with more advanced literature. The work aims to demystify complex syntactic structures through clear definitions, logical progression, and practical exercises.
- Foundational X-bar theory and phrase structure projections.
- The role of Theta theory in argument assignment and movement.
- Case theory mechanisms and their interaction with government.
- Binding theory principles and the syntactic behavior of PRO.
- Advanced movement constraints including Bounding theory and wh-movement.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 PROJECTION PRINCIPLE
The X-Bar theory accounts for the phrase structure. The universal grammar (UG) principle adopted in phrase structure analysis is called Projection principle. This principle ensures that a syntactic structure projects from a head which is usually a word. Hence, within a phrase there should be an obligatory head, the concept which is known as Endocentricity principle.
The projection of a phrase begins with the head which we may write thus: Xmin (X-minimum) or Xo (X-head). Projection means increment. Hence, the head must increase to become a phrase through the addition of other items. Let us consider the projection of the noun phrase in (3) below.
Studying the projection of the phrase, you can see that the first modifier to be added is in the group. This is called complement. The next two modifiers are intelligent and nice. These are called adjuncts. Usually, complements may not be as many as adjuncts in a phrase. In (4) above, only one complement is added to the head because complements are not recursive. However, adjuncts are recursive, and more of them may still be added. The specifier is usually one item just like the complement, but it is not as close to the head as the complement is. Therefore the specifier can be separated from the head with a list of adjuncts, while adjuncts are not expected between the head and its complement. It is assumed that the complement, the adjuncts and the specifier are all, to some extent, optional in syntactic structures. Only the head is taken to be obligatory.
Summary of Chapters
1. X-BAR THEORY: Explains the basic phrase structure and the principles of head-driven projection, introducing the intermediate category levels.
2. THETA THEORY: Discusses thematic roles, subcategorization, and how arguments are assigned roles by predicates.
3. CASE THEORY: Details the assignment of abstract and structural cases and the role of the case-filter in ensuring phonological visibility.
4. GOVERNMENT THEORY: Examines the structural relations between governors and governees, focusing on m-command and the licensing of empty categories.
5. BINDING THEORY: Outlines the three core principles governing the relationship between anaphors, pronouns, and R-expressions.
6. CONTROL THEORY: Investigates the behavior of the covert subject PRO and the conditions of arbitrary, obligatory, and optional control.
7. BOUNDING THEORY: Addresses movement operations, including NP and wh-movement, and the constraints that limit these syntactic transformations.
Keywords
Government and Binding Theory, Syntax, X-bar theory, Theta theory, Case theory, Binding theory, PRO, Movement, Head-to-head movement, Wh-movement, Subjacency, Functional heads, Endocentricity, Syntactic structure, UG principles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of this textbook?
The book serves as a simplified, elementary starter pack for students to gain a basic understanding of Government and Binding theory before tackling more complex and detailed academic texts.
Which theoretical framework does the work cover?
It covers the Principles and Parameters framework, which is the official alternative name for Government and Binding Theory.
What is the core focus of the provided X-bar analysis?
It focuses on how heads project into phrases by adding modifiers such as complements, adjuncts, and specifiers at various structural levels.
How are grammatical cases explained within this text?
Case is explained as a structural requirement assigned by a governor; the text distinguishes between structural case (assigned by governors like V or P) and inherent case.
What is the significance of the "PRO" element in the theory?
PRO is identified as a covert, non-phonetically overt subject in non-finite clauses that remains caseless because it lacks a proper governor.
What specific syntactic constraints are discussed in the later chapters?
The text explores constraints such as the That-Trace filter, Island constraints, and the Subjacency condition to explain limits on movement.
How does the book address the distinction between "Small Clauses" and regular clauses?
Small clauses are identified as verbless and inflectionless clauses that rely on matrix clause verbs for case assignment to their subjects.
How do "trace" elements function in this model?
Traces are covert elements left behind after movement that behave like anaphors, requiring a governing category to satisfy binding conditions.
- Quote paper
- Akintoye Japhet (Author), 2015, Beginner's GB. The Beginner's Handbook on Government and Binding Theory of Syntax in a concise elementary approach, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/304136
