Theoretical and Descriptive Linguistics
Our work in Theoretical and Descriptive Linguistics is centred on linguistic analysis and its implications for the development of theory.
Much of it is generative, in a variety of paradigms (GB, Minimalism, HPSG, OT). While syntax (comparative, evolutionary, historical and developmental – L1 and L2) is a major focus, phonology, morphology, phonetics, and semantics-pragmatics are well-represented, as is work contributing to sociolinguistics and corpus linguistics research.
Our work is distinctive in exploring the interface of domains and methodologies often considered to be in tension (eg our work in social-linguistics and with large corpora addresses issues in theoretical linguistics and descriptive syntax).
An impressive range of languages are the object of investigation within this theme (eg Arabic, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Quechua, Scandinavian languages, Spanish, Welsh)