The Oxford Handbook of Morphological Theory

Abstract

Morphology, the science of words, is a complex theoretical landscape, where a multitude of frameworks, each with their own tenets and formalism, compete for the explanation of linguistic facts. The Oxford Handbook of Morphological Theory is a comprehensive guide through this jungle of morphological theories. It provides a rich and up-to-date overview of theoretical frameworks, from Structuralism to Optimality Theory and from Minimalism to Construction Morphology. In the core part of the handbook (Part II), each theory is introduced by a practitioner, who guides the reader through its principles and technicalities, its advantages and disadvantages. All chapters are written to be accessible, authoritative, and critical. Cross-references reveal agreements and disagreements among frameworks, and a rich body of references encourages further reading. As well as introducing individual theories, the volume speaks to the bigger picture. Part I identifies time-honoured issues in word-formation and inflection that have set the theoretical scene. Part III connects morphological theory to other fields of linguistics. These include typology and creole linguistics, diachronic change and synchronic variation, first and second language acquisition, psycho-/neurolinguistics, computational linguistics, and sign language theory. Each of these fields informs and challenges morphological theory in particular ways. By linking specialist data and insights from the various subfields, the volume fosters the dialogue among sub-disciplines that is much needed for a graceful integration of linguistic thinking.

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