GENERATIVE GRAMMAR AND HPSG APPROACHES TO PHRASE STRUCTURE ANALYSIS: A COMPARATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

This paper provides a comparative review of the approaches to phrase structure analysis within generative grammar and Head-Driven Phrase Structure Grammar (HPSG). Generative grammar, pioneered by Noam Chomsky in the mid-20th century, introduced the concept of transformational rules to derive surface structures from underlying deep structures. In contrast, HPSG, developed by Carl Pollard and Ivan Sag in the 1980s, utilizes a constraint-based framework without transformations, focusing on the hierarchical organization of linguistic structures through feature-based representations. The paper examines the origins, key principles, and methodologies of both approaches, highlighting their similarities and differences. It presents case studies and examples illustrating how each approach analyzes phrase structures and evaluates their effectiveness and applicability in linguistic analysis. Furthermore, recent developments, emerging research areas, and future directions in phrase structure analysis are discussed, along with suggestions for interdisciplinary integration and empirical validation. By synthesizing insights from generative grammar and HPSG, this paper aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the theoretical foundations and practical implications of phrase structure analysis in linguistics.