The Oxford Handbook of Ellipsis

This Handbook provides a comprehensive and balanced discussion of ellipsis phenomena, exploring its role in grammar, diagnostics, and variation across languages. It examines different theoretical frameworks and highlights the usefulness of ellipsis as a tool for understanding other linguistic phenomena.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 1152 pages
Publication date: 20 October 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

This Handbook is a groundbreaking work that delves into the intricate realm of ellipsis phenomena,where the meaning of an utterance extends beyond its linguistic form. Natural language is replete with these seemingly incomplete expressions,such as I laughed but Ed didn't,where the final portion of the sentence,the verb laugh,remains unpronounced yet is still understood. The range of phenomena encompassed by ellipsis raises profound and fundamental questions about the workings of grammar,while also offering a rich source of fine-grained points of inter- and intralinguistic variation.

The Handbook is organized into four distinct parts. In the first part, authors explore the role of ellipsis and its analysis within various theoretical frameworks and linguistic subdisciplines, including HPSG, construction grammar, inquisitive semantics, and computational linguistics. Chapters in the second part showcase the practical applications of ellipsis as a diagnostic tool for other linguistic phenomena, such as movement, islands, and codeswitching. Part III delves into the different types of elliptical constructions found in natural language, such as sluicing, gapping, and null complement anaphora. Finally, the last part of the book presents case studies that examine elliptical phenomena in a diverse range of languages, including Dutch, Japanese, Persian, and Finnish Sign Language.

Through comprehensive and balanced discussions, this Handbook provides a comprehensive understanding of ellipsis phenomena, shedding light on their linguistic, cognitive, and social aspects. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and language enthusiasts alike, offering insights into the complex mechanisms that shape our language and communication.

Weight: 1750g
Dimension: 244 x 173 x 54 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192865045