Aspects of the Theory of Clitics

Stephen Anderson

Oxford Studies in Theoretical Linguistics

Covers the grammar of clitics in terms of their phonology, morphology, and syntax, as opposed to purely syntactic or phonological accounts
First comprehensive survey of clitic phenomena for 20 years
Provides analyses of such standard problems as English contracted auxiliaries clitic doubling, clitic climbing, and the relation of clitics to agreement
Original data from Kwakw'ala ("Kwakiutl") and Surmiran Rumantsch, as well as discussion of a wide range of languages
Suitable for use as a text for upper division undergraduate and beginning graduate courses in morphology and syntax

Aspects of the Theory of Clitics

Stephen Anderson

Oxford Studies in Theoretical Linguistics

Description

This is the first book to cover the grammar of clitics from all points of view, including their phonology and syntax and relation to morphology. In the process, it deals with the relation of second position clitics to verb-second phenomena in Germanic and other languages, the grammar of contracted auxiliary verbs in English, noun incorporation constructions, and several other much discussed topics in grammar. Stephen Anderson includes analyses of a number of particular languages, and some of these - such as Kwakw'ala ("Kwakiutl") and Surmiran Rumantsch - are based on his own field research. The study of clitics has broad implications for a general understanding of sentence structure in natural language. Stephen Anderson's clearly-written, wide-ranging, and original account will be of wide interest to scholars and advanced students of phonology, morphology, and syntax.

Aspects of the Theory of Clitics

Stephen Anderson

Oxford Studies in Theoretical Linguistics

Aspects of the Theory of Clitics

Stephen Anderson

Oxford Studies in Theoretical Linguistics

Author Information

Stephen Anderson, Yale University

Aspects of the Theory of Clitics

Stephen Anderson

Oxford Studies in Theoretical Linguistics

Reviews and Awards

"undoubtedly one of the most important and valuable contributions to the study of clitics" - Peter M. Arkadiev, The Linguist List

"[an] important and much needed book ... This study will undoubtedly be a cornerstone in any future debates on this important topic." - Draga Zec, Word Structure