Syntax and Phrase Structure (D012)

This set of flashcards covers key concepts and terminology related to the study of syntax, phrase structure rules, and the comparison of English with the imaginary language Langlish.

Phrase Structure Rules

Rules that show how words and phrases combine to form larger phrases and sentences.

Recursion

The ability to embed phrases of one type within phrases of the same type, allowing for infinitely many new phrases and sentences.

Lexicon

The vocabulary of a language, including nouns, determiners, adjectives, prepositions, and verbs.

Syntactic Structure

The hierarchical arrangement of words and phrases in a sentence.

Syntax Trees

Diagrams that represent the hierarchical structure of phrases and sentences.

Constituency Tests

Tests to determine whether a word or a group of words can be treated as a phrase within a sentence.

Langlish

An imaginary language similar to English but with different rules for phrase structure.

Generative Syntax

The theory that syntax can generate an infinite number of sentences from a finite set of rules and lexical entries.

Embedding

The process of inserting one grammatical structure within another.

Hierarchical Structure

The organization of language where smaller components such as words combine to form larger components like phrases and sentences.