Comparison across formal languages is an essential part of formal linguistics. The study of closely-related varieties has proven extremely useful in comparing differences that might otherwise appear unrealted, and has helped to identify the core principles of Universal Grammar. This comprehensive handbook serves two functions. It will provide a general and theoretical introduction to comparative syntax, its methodology, and its relation to other domains of linguistic inquiry; and it will provide a systematic selection of the best comparative work being done today on those language groups and families where substantial progress has been achieved. With top-notch editors and contributors from around the world, this volume will be an essential resource for scholars and students in formal linguistics.

Thinking Syntactically: A Guide to Argumentation and Analysis is a textbook designed to teach introductory students the skills of relating data to theory and theory to data. * Helps students develop their thinking and argumentation skills rather than merely introducing them to one particular version of syntactic theory. * Structured around a wide range of exercises that use clear and compelling logic to build arguments and lead up to theoretical proposals. * Data drawn from current media sources, including newspapers, books, and television programs, to help students formulate and test hypotheses. * Generative in spirit, but does not focus on specific theoretical approaches but enables students to understand and evaluate different approaches more easily. * Written by an established author with an international reputation.

Written by two of the leading figures in the field, this is a lucid and systematic introduction to formal semantics.