David Lightfoot's collection explores a central aspect of language change: the nature and degree to which changes in morphology (inflectional word endings, for example) cause changes in syntax (for example, in word order). The 22 contributors consider such phenomena within the context of Chomsky's minimalist revision of his principles (of universal grammar) and parameters (of individual languages) theory. They also address some of the main unanswered problems associated with Professor Lightfoot's hypothesis that all grammatical change is driven by the way in which children acquire language. These questions are discussed in the context of a wide range of languages by distinguished scholars from around the world.

There are 21 chapters divided into 4 parts: Morphologically Driven Changes, Indirect Links Between Morphology and Syntax, Independent Changes in Movement Operations, and Computer Simulations.