An Introduction to
Relational Network Theory
History, Principles and Descriptive Applications
Adolfo M. Garca, William J. Sullivan and Sarah Tsiang
2017 224pp 244 x 169mm Illus.
hb ISBN 9781781792605
75.00 / $100.00 56.25 / $75.00
pb ISBN 9781781792612
35.00 / $39.95 26.26 / $29.96
eBook ISBN 9781781796177
25%
discou
Availa nT
ble
The reason the present book is so timely is that it will provide another mode of
access to [Relational Network Theory], for those who would be able to approach it
with the required specialist knowledge. It is time that such people let [...] us know
how it shapes up, as an account of the linguistic system, and of the processes of
learning and using language, in the light of current research.
M.A.K. Halliday
This book offers an updated introduction to Relational Network Theory (RNT), a
neurocognitive model of language compatible with systemic-functional tenets. It
describes and illustrates the logical types of relations found in a linguistic network.
Part I traces the evolution of RNT from the 1960s to the present, highlighting its
systemic and stratificational origins, introducing its main notational devices, and
identifying successive theoretical milestones (from structural, to operational, to
neurocognitive considerations). Part II offers an unprecedented collection of case
studies showing descriptive applications of RNT. The studies deal with varied
linguistic phenomena in different languages (phonological patterns in Russian,
morphological systems in Polish and Spanish, pronouns and nouns in English
discourse, speech errors in English and Polish). The book is prefaced by Michael
Halliday and includes a recent interview with Sydney Lamb, the main developer of
the theory. Its didactic style and descriptive rigor render it useful for both linguistics
students and professional linguists.
Adolfo M. Garca is Scientific Director of the Laboratory of Experimental Psychology
and Neuroscience at the Institute of Cognitive and Translational Neuroscience (INCYT,
Argentina) and Researcher at the National Scientific and Technical Research Council
(CONICET, Argentina).
William J. Sullivan is Emeritus Professor of English and Linguistics in the Institute of
English, Maria Curie-Skodowska University, Lublin, Poland.
Sarah Tsiang is Associate Professor in the Department of English & Theatre at Eastern
Kentucky University, USA.
Contents
Foreword: On the Creation, and the Creator, of RNT (by M.A.K. Halliday)
Introduction
Part I: Convergences: Linguistic, Operational and Neurological Considerations
1. The Origins of Relational Network Theory
2. From Language Structure to Language Processing
3. From Neurological Structures to Language Processing
Part II: Descriptive Applications
4. An RNT Approach to Russian Obstruent Onsets
5. An RNT Approach to the Polish Genitive
6. An RNT Approach to Spanish Pronominal Clitics and Verb Endings
7. An RNT Approach to Participants in English Texts
8. An RNT Approach to Speech Errors in English and Polish
Afterword
Appendix: Interview with Sydney Lamb
Glossary
Place an order online at www.equinoxpub.com
to receive a 25% discount. Enter the code
LINGUISTICS at the checkout when
prompted and your order will be discounted.