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  3. Master in Language Sciences
  4. area of specialisation in Linguistic Revision and Consultancy
  5. Topics in Syntax

Topics in Syntax

Objectives

The course aims to make the student:
a) Update and deepen knowledge of advanced topics in the area of syntax, namely structures that display syntactic variation in Portuguese.
b) Understand the relevance of syntactic microvariation for syntactic theory.
c) Understand how syntactic microvariation may be encoded in the grammar and the interplay between grammatical modules and language-external factors.
d) Acquire a thorough mastery of the relevant literature.
e) Develop critical sense and ability to evaluate proposals for syntactic analysis.
f) Develop the ability to carry out research work on a specific topic in the area of Syntax.

General characterization

Code

02112332

Credits

5.0

Responsible teacher

Ana Maria Lavadinho Madeira

Hours

Weekly - Available soon

Total - 140

Teaching language

Portuguese

Prerequisites

N/A

Bibliography

  • Barbosa, P., Paiva, M.C. & Rodrigues, C. (eds.) (2017) Studies on Variation in Varieties of Portuguese. [Issues inHispanic and Lusophone Linguistics 14]. John Benjamins.
  • Martins, A. M. & Carrilho, E. (eds.) (2016) Manual de Linguística Portuguesa. Berlin/Boston: De Gruyter.
  • Raposo, E. P. et al. (orgs.) (2013/2020) Gramática do Português. 3 vols. Lisboa: FCG.
  • Wetzels, W. L., Menuzzi, S. & Costa, J. (eds.) (2016) The Handbook of Portuguese Linguistics. Malden / Oxford: Wiley Blackwell.

Teaching method

The CU includes expository classes, the discussion of data and presentation of readings.

Evaluation method

Continuous assessment - Individual written essay that describes and analyzes a syntactic phenomenon(60%), Small exercises(20%), Students' participation in class, a critical review of a paper(20%)

Subject matter

1. Null subjects and inversion
1.1. The Null Subject Parameter
1.2. The interpretation of pronominal subjects
1.3. Subjext-verb inversion
2. Object pronouns
2.1. Clitics
2.2. Strong pronouns
2.3. Null objects
3. Infinitive structures
3.1. Inflected and uninflected infinitive
3.2. Inflected infinitive and control