configuration (n.)

A term used to refer to the STANDARD MODEL of GENERATIVE GRAMMAR, seen in contrast with RELATIONAL theories of grammar. In a configurational approach, PHRASE-MARKERS are seen as clusters (‘configurations’) of SYNTACTIC CATEGORIES, arranged in LINEAR ORDER.

The term is also used generally in LINGUISTICS and PHONETICS for any formally identifiable ARRANGEMENT of ELEMENTS. It has been used, for example, with reference to the sequence of TONES which constitute an INTONATION CONTOUR (a ‘tonal configuration’) and to the set of SYNTACTIC FUNCTIONS which depend upon a particular VERB, as in CASE grammar (a ‘configuration of cases’).