Analysing English Sentences: A Minimalist Approach

Author: Andrew Radford

Edition: First

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Pages: 540

Price: £65.00 and £25.99

ISBN 9780521516976 and 731911

With his characteristic energy and enthusiasm, Andrew Radford provides an introduction to Chomsky's latest work on English syntax - as he has been doing with great success since the 1980s. The book presents the key concepts of the minimalist programme and, true to the genre, includes in its bibliography an unpublished 2006 paper by Chomsky - either a tribute to Chomsky's continuing intellectual vitality, or an annoying in-group habit, depending on your point of view. Unlike the 1980s, though, when such a reference would have been useless to most readers, this paper is readily available as a pdf on the internet (and it appeared in print in a book by a major publisher in 2007). Although the range of theoretical issues covered is admirably wide, including null constituents, head movement, case and agreement and split projections, the range of data continues to be worryingly small.

Who is it for? Introductory courses in generative grammar.

Presentation: Full of vigour and conviction.

Would you recommend it? If you really want to keep up with Chomsky's linguistics, this book is essential.