Microparameters in the Grammar of Basque: (13 Language Faculty and Beyond)

This book is an endeavor to present and analyze some standard topics in the grammar of Basque from a micro-comparative perspective. From case and agreement to word order and the left periphery, and including an incursion into determiners, the book combines fine-grained theoretical analyses with empirically detailed descriptions. Working from a micro-parametric perspective, the contributions to the volume address in depth some of the exuberant variation attested in the different dialects and subdialects of Basque. At the same time, although the contributions focus mainly on Basque data, cross-linguistic evidence is also presented and discussed. After all, the goal pursued in this book is to attempt to explain variation in Basque as a particular instantiation of variation in human language at large. The volume presents and analyzes a wide range of empirical phenomena, many typologically marked among European languages, and will therefore be a welcome resource to linguists looking for detailed description and/or theoretical discussion.

Table of Contents:
1. Introductory chapters; 2. Microparameters in the Grammar of Basque: Looking back and moving forward (by Fernandez, Beatriz); 3. On Basque dialects (by Hualde, Jose Ignacio); 4. Case and Agreement; 5. On the relation between ergativity, stativity and the verbal configuration of Basque (by Berro, Ane); 6. Datives in Basque bivalent unergatives (by Urbina, Jon Ortiz de); 7. Differential object marking in Basque varieties (by Fernandez, Beatriz); 8. Gaps and stopgaps in Basque finite verb agreement* (by Rezac, Milan); 9. Determiners; 10. Nominals in Basque and their existential interpretation (by Etxeberria, Urtzi); 11. Word order and left periphery; 12. Strategies of verb and verb phrase focus across Basque dialects (by Elordieta, Arantzazu); 13. Strategies for argument and adjunct focalization in Basque (by Irurtzun, Aritz); 14. Microsyntactic variation in the Basque hearsay evidential (by Etxepare, Ricardo); 15. Index of Basque varieties mentioned in the text; 16. Name Index; 17. Subject Index

Review :
Microparameters in the Grammar of Basque offers state-of-the-art discussions and analyses on case and agreement, determiners as well as word order and the left periphery. The focus is on Basque and its varieties, taking a microparametric perspective. It is for anyone who is interested in syntactic theory, in comparative syntax and in language variation. This is an essential volume for all researchers working on generative approaches to dialectal variation and the Basque language. A descriptively nuanced and theoretically significant contribution to the microparametric endeavor, providing detailed discussions and accounts by some of the most outstanding linguists in the field. We are lucky to have Basque, rich in all its dialectal glory, well and alive –and even luckier to also enjoy an inexhaustible quarry of hard-working linguists studying it all. First and foremost, this is true for studies in general linguistics, which must never forget the counterpoint that languages out of the mainstream offer us. It is also true, more broadly, for a deeper understanding of the great mystery of language variation, which a language with under a million speakers shows great examples of. Last but not least, studies like the present one remind us of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage: Basques can bless their lucky stars, but their efforts can also serve as a great example of what is possible with systematic work and passion, for so many communities around the world. This impressive collection continues in the rich tradition of Basque linguistics. It contains micro-comparative studies touching on a wide range of topics in Basque syntax, emphasizing the importance of dialect variation. The individuation of the microparameters that underlie this variation can be seen to play a key role in deepening our understanding of general properties of the human language faculty.