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SUMMARY:The Typology of Noun Phrase Structure from a Processing Perspectiv
 e - Prof. John Hawkins\, RCEAL\, University of Cambridge and University of
  California\, Davis
DTSTART:20081021T150000Z
DTEND:20081021T163000Z
UID:TALK14823@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Susan Rolfe
DESCRIPTION:This paper examines cross-linguistic variation patterns in the
  syntax and morpho-syntax of Noun Phrases.  The variation is surprising an
 d not readily explainable in grammatical terms alone\, but many of these p
 atterns can be motivated in terms of on-line processing demands.  Two proc
 essing hypotheses are proposed:  anything that is an NP must be recognized
  as such\, i.e. every NP must be 'constructable'\; and all the items that 
 belong to NP must be 'attachable' to it\, and the amount of syntactic\, mo
 rpho-syntactic or lexical encoding of attachment will be in proportion to 
 complexity and efficiency in processing.  Some predictions following from 
 these hypotheses are defined.  Typological generalizations and cross-lingu
 istic data provide prima facie evidence for them\, suggesting that process
 ing has played a significant role in shaping grammars in this area.   
LOCATION:GR-06/07\, English Faculty Building
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