A generalised phrase structure grammar analysis of colloquial Egyptian Arabic
This thesis proposes and defends a let of analyses of various aspects of the phrase structure of colloquial Egyptian Arabic (EA) clause structure, using the Generalised Phrase Structure Grammar (GPSG) framework of Gazdar, Klein, Pullum and Sag (1985). In the first chapter the constituency of simple clause types is examined and it is argued that EA is a ~configurational~ SVO language with a VP constituent. These two proposals form the basis for the analyses developed in subsequent chapters. The second chapter pursues the themes of the first, examining the syntax of so-called ~nominal~ (verbless) sentences, and offering a unified account of both verbal and nominal sentence types. Chapter 3 is concerned with clausal complementation, and shows that under certain assumptions motivated in earlier chapters, the GPSG framework allows for a concise account of a number of hitherto problematic constructions. Chapter 4 is devoted to the syntax of subjects, and in particular to a discussion of ~pro-drop~ in EA. The relationship between the possibility of missing subjects, word order, and inflection is investigated, and an analysis of cliticisation is proposed which has implications for other areas of the grammar especially
Edwards, Malcolm Howell
Syntax
A generalised phrase structure grammar analysis of colloquial Egyptian Arabic. This thesis proposes and defends a let of analyses of various aspects of the phrase structure of colloquial Egyptian Arabic (EA) clause structure, using the Generalised Phrase Structure Grammar (GPSG) framework of Gazdar, Klein, Pullum and Sag (1985). In the first chapter the constituency of simple clause types is examined and it is argued that EA is a ~configurational~ SVO language with a VP constituent. These two proposals form the basis for the analyses developed in subsequent chapters. The second chapter pursues the themes of the first, examining the syntax of so-called ~nominal~ (verbless) sentences, and offering a unified account of both verbal and nominal sentence types. Chapter 3 is concerned with clausal complementation, and shows that under certain assumptions motivated in earlier chapters, the GPSG framework allows for a concise account of a number of hitherto problematic constructions. Chapter 4 is devoted to the syntax of subjects, and in particular to a discussion of ~pro-drop~ in EA. The relationship between the possibility of missing subjects, word order, and inflection is investigated, and an analysis of cliticisation is proposed which has implications for other areas of the grammar especially
generalised phrase_structure_grammar analysis colloquial egyptian arabic proposes defend let analysis various_aspect phrase_structure colloquial egyptian arabic clause_structure use generalised phrase_structure_grammar framework first constituency simple clause type examine argue configurational svo language constituent proposal form_basis analysis develop subsequent chapter second pursues theme first_examine syntax so_called nominal sentence offer unified_account verbal nominal sentence_type concerned clausal complementation show certain_assumption motivate earlier framework allow concise account number hitherto problematic construction devoted syntax subject particular discussion pro_drop relationship possibility miss subject word_order inflection investigate analysis propose implication area grammar especially