Abstract

The text argues that the first research work by a Bulgarian linguist in the framework of Chomsky’s Transformational-Generative Grammar (Chomsky 1957) is Yordan Penchev’s 1964 paper “Constructions with the Preposition Освен”. With Chomsky being American, his framework could not be acknowledged openly as a theoretical model in Bulgaria for ideological reasons. Its application in Penchev’s paper is proven indirect-ly, using seven criteria. Two of them, fulfilled in (Penchev 1964), are discussed extensively in the paper in view of their specific features. The first of these criteria – the use of key transformational and generative terms by N. Chomsky in Penchev’s paper, is elaborated in the form of a comparative table. A burst of generative-transformational terms is noted and the techniques of this terminological transfer are commented on. According to the other criterion ‒ analysis following N. Chomsky’s transformational or phrase-structurе rules ‒ two model-theoretic aspects of Penchev’s text are discussed, the generative and the transformational aspect, with the aim of evaluating the first rules of this kind to have ever been formulated by a Bulgarian linguist. They are considered in contrast with those defined by Chomsky and with regard to the new ideas they introduced in Bulgarian syntax. Тhe perception of Penchev’s article by the then readers is also analyzed. Keywords: Bulgarian Transformational-Generative Grammar, Yordan Penchev, exceptive but-phrases, Bulgarian language

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call