Abstract:

Guided by the general rules in biological evolution, different evolutionary levels such as CP>TP>vP>VP/SC, via the method of internal reconstruction, can be postulated in the syntactic evolution. In the history of evolution, syntactic evolution, except the non-syntactic word stage without feature of combination, roughly progresses in three stages, i.e., paratactic proto-stage, pro-coordination stage and functional category stage. Independent root small clause, intransitive small clause without vP projection and exocentric VN compounds are living fossils of evolutionary stages. The traces of biological design remaining in each stage show the evidence for continuity of language evolution and spirits of natural selection. Each stage gradually brings about some advantages of communication, and therefore communicative pressure is the fundamental driving force of language evolution. The book is based on wide theories of various disciplines. Through observing language facts of English and many other languages, and through employing methods of internal reconstruction and syntactic deconstruction, the book constructs a gradualist theory of language evolution, providing novel insights for probing into language evolution.

Keywords: Ljiljana Progovac; Evolutionary Syntax; gradualist evolution; internal reconstruction; syntactic deconstruction; syntax

摘要： 依据生物演化的基本规律,运用句法解构和内部构拟等方法,句法演化可分为CP>TP>vP>VP/SC等演化层次。句法演化依次经历了聚合原型阶段、原型并列阶段和具体功能语类阶段三个阶段。独立小句、没有vP层次的不及物小句和离心动名词等结构是各阶段留下的活化石,各演化阶段渐变演化过程中留下的语言生物设计痕迹体现了语言演化的连续性和自然选择思想。各演化阶段渐次体现了交际优势,交际压力是驱动语言演化的根本原因。基于广阔的学科理论,本书以英语等语言事实为具体观察对象,运用内部构拟和句法解构等方法,构建了语言演化渐变论,提出了语言演化研究新思路。

关键词: Ljiljana Progovac, 《演化句法》, 演化渐变论, 内部构拟, 句法解构, 句法学