Ronald W. Langacker
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- May 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780195331967
- eISBN:
- 9780199868209
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195331967.003.0004
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology
The standard doctrine that basic grammatical classes (parts of speech) are not semantically definable rests on erroneous assumptions about the nature of linguistic meaning. With a proper view of ...
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The standard doctrine that basic grammatical classes (parts of speech) are not semantically definable rests on erroneous assumptions about the nature of linguistic meaning. With a proper view of meaning, basic categories—notably noun and verb—have plausible conceptual characterizations at both the prototype level (for typical examples) and the schema level (valid for all instances). The prototypes are based on conceptual archetypes: objects for nouns, and actions for verbs. The schemas are independent of any particular conceptual content, residing instead in basic cognitive abilities immanent in the archetypes: for nouns, grouping and reification; in the case of verbs, the ability to apprend relationships and to track their evolution through time. An expression's grammatical category specifically depends on the nature of its profile (not its overall content). Thus a noun profiles a thing (defined abstractly as any product of grouping and reification), while a verb profiles a process (a relationship tracked through time). Expressions that profile non-processual relationships include adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, infinitives, and participles. Relational expressions can be categorized in different ways, depending on factors like the number and type of focused participants, whether the profiled relation is simplex or complex, and whether it is apprehended holistically or sequentially. These characterizations prove efficacious in describing how relational expressions function as noun modifiers and in clausal organization.Less
The standard doctrine that basic grammatical classes (parts of speech) are not semantically definable rests on erroneous assumptions about the nature of linguistic meaning. With a proper view of meaning, basic categories—notably noun and verb—have plausible conceptual characterizations at both the prototype level (for typical examples) and the schema level (valid for all instances). The prototypes are based on conceptual archetypes: objects for nouns, and actions for verbs. The schemas are independent of any particular conceptual content, residing instead in basic cognitive abilities immanent in the archetypes: for nouns, grouping and reification; in the case of verbs, the ability to apprend relationships and to track their evolution through time. An expression's grammatical category specifically depends on the nature of its profile (not its overall content). Thus a noun profiles a thing (defined abstractly as any product of grouping and reification), while a verb profiles a process (a relationship tracked through time). Expressions that profile non-processual relationships include adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, infinitives, and participles. Relational expressions can be categorized in different ways, depending on factors like the number and type of focused participants, whether the profiled relation is simplex or complex, and whether it is apprehended holistically or sequentially. These characterizations prove efficacious in describing how relational expressions function as noun modifiers and in clausal organization.
Halldór Ármann Sigurðsson and Joan Maling
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199746736
- eISBN:
- 9780199949519
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199746736.003.0028
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology
This chapter deals with a basic problem of the cartographic approach, namely whether functional projections are always present inter- and intra-linguistically. The analysis reconciles the ...
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This chapter deals with a basic problem of the cartographic approach, namely whether functional projections are always present inter- and intra-linguistically. The analysis reconciles the cartographic approach with a more minimalist perspective. Following Cinque’s (1999) generalization, and analyzing data from Icelandic and English, it suggests that grammatical categories, (i.e., features and/or heads) are present and syntactically active even in those languages in which such features and/or heads are not grammatically signaled. Therefore, these grammatical categories, which build up the clause structure, enter in syntax as interpretable but unvalued features, and their value is subsequently assigned in the course of the derivation. In those languages in which categories like Tense, Person, etc., are signaled by overt morphemes, these morphemes should be considered as uninterpretable, and the corresponding categories should be considered categories that reflect combinations of “atomic” syntactic relations.Less
This chapter deals with a basic problem of the cartographic approach, namely whether functional projections are always present inter- and intra-linguistically. The analysis reconciles the cartographic approach with a more minimalist perspective. Following Cinque’s (1999) generalization, and analyzing data from Icelandic and English, it suggests that grammatical categories, (i.e., features and/or heads) are present and syntactically active even in those languages in which such features and/or heads are not grammatically signaled. Therefore, these grammatical categories, which build up the clause structure, enter in syntax as interpretable but unvalued features, and their value is subsequently assigned in the course of the derivation. In those languages in which categories like Tense, Person, etc., are signaled by overt morphemes, these morphemes should be considered as uninterpretable, and the corresponding categories should be considered categories that reflect combinations of “atomic” syntactic relations.
Joanna Blaszczak, Anastasia Giannakidou, Dorota Klimek-Jankowska, and Krzysztof Migdalski (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- September 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780226363523
- eISBN:
- 9780226363660
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226363660.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Semantics and Pragmatics
Over the past several decades, linguistic theorizing of tense, aspect, and mood (TAM), along with a strongly growing body of crosslinguistic studies, have revealed complexity in the data that ...
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Over the past several decades, linguistic theorizing of tense, aspect, and mood (TAM), along with a strongly growing body of crosslinguistic studies, have revealed complexity in the data that challenges traditional distinctions and treatments of these categories. This book argues that it’s time to revisit our conventional assumptions and reconsider our foundational questions: What exactly is a linguistic category? What kinds of categories to labels such as “subjunctive,” “imperative,” “future,” and “modality” truly refer to? In short, how categorical are categories? Current literature assumes a straightforward link between grammatical category and semantic function, and descriptions of well-studied languages have cultivated a sense of predictability in patterns over time. However, this predictability and stability vanish in the study of lesser-known patterns and languages. The ten provocative essays gathered here present fascinating cutting-edge research demonstrating that the traditional grammatical distinctions are ultimately fluid, and perhaps even illusory. Developing groundbreaking and highly original theories, the contributors in this volume seek to unravel more general, fundamental principles of TAM that can help us better understand the nature of linguistic representations.Less
Over the past several decades, linguistic theorizing of tense, aspect, and mood (TAM), along with a strongly growing body of crosslinguistic studies, have revealed complexity in the data that challenges traditional distinctions and treatments of these categories. This book argues that it’s time to revisit our conventional assumptions and reconsider our foundational questions: What exactly is a linguistic category? What kinds of categories to labels such as “subjunctive,” “imperative,” “future,” and “modality” truly refer to? In short, how categorical are categories? Current literature assumes a straightforward link between grammatical category and semantic function, and descriptions of well-studied languages have cultivated a sense of predictability in patterns over time. However, this predictability and stability vanish in the study of lesser-known patterns and languages. The ten provocative essays gathered here present fascinating cutting-edge research demonstrating that the traditional grammatical distinctions are ultimately fluid, and perhaps even illusory. Developing groundbreaking and highly original theories, the contributors in this volume seek to unravel more general, fundamental principles of TAM that can help us better understand the nature of linguistic representations.
Lauren Fonteyn
- Published in print:
- 2019
- Published Online:
- April 2019
- ISBN:
- 9780190917579
- eISBN:
- 9780190917609
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780190917579.003.0002
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, English Language
This chapter discusses the literature dealing with the formal and functional features of the major grammatical categories noun and verb, focusing on the so-called “mixed” or “hybrid” structures known ...
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This chapter discusses the literature dealing with the formal and functional features of the major grammatical categories noun and verb, focusing on the so-called “mixed” or “hybrid” structures known as deverbal nominalizations. It is argued that, to understand the peculiarities of these much-discussed constructions and, more generally, to investigate whether abstract linguistic concepts such as “noun” and “verb” are—as suggested in functionalist and cognitive linguistics—to a certain extent “iconic,” we should adopt an approach that devotes attention to structural as well as functional-semantic properties. The discussion will lead to the presentation of a theoretical model of functional-semantic nominality and verbality/clausality, which will serve as the core for further investigation of the functional-semantic organization of the English gerundive system.Less
This chapter discusses the literature dealing with the formal and functional features of the major grammatical categories noun and verb, focusing on the so-called “mixed” or “hybrid” structures known as deverbal nominalizations. It is argued that, to understand the peculiarities of these much-discussed constructions and, more generally, to investigate whether abstract linguistic concepts such as “noun” and “verb” are—as suggested in functionalist and cognitive linguistics—to a certain extent “iconic,” we should adopt an approach that devotes attention to structural as well as functional-semantic properties. The discussion will lead to the presentation of a theoretical model of functional-semantic nominality and verbality/clausality, which will serve as the core for further investigation of the functional-semantic organization of the English gerundive system.
Martin Haspelmath
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- November 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780198235606
- eISBN:
- 9780191851971
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198235606.003.0004
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology, Language Families
This chapter describes a two-dimensional implicational map for representing nine functions of indefinite pronouns. It first considers indefiniteness markers as grammatical categories, the ...
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This chapter describes a two-dimensional implicational map for representing nine functions of indefinite pronouns. It first considers indefiniteness markers as grammatical categories, the use/function-based approach, and a geometric representation of implicational universals. It then discusses the implicational map for the uses/functions of indefiniteness markers and shows how it works with three languages: English, Russian, and Nanay (Manchu-Tungusic). The distribution of indefinite pronoun series over the functions on the map in each language is illustrated. These three examples demonstrate how the semantic map captures cross-linguistic generalizations about indefinite pronoun systems and makes universal predictions. The chapter proceeds by explaining the distributional schemas of forty languages that include French, Swedish, Italian, Romanian, Bulgarian, modern Greek, Lithuanian, Irish, Korean, and Persian. Finally, it looks at further restrictions on combinations of functions and earlier formulations of typological implications.Less
This chapter describes a two-dimensional implicational map for representing nine functions of indefinite pronouns. It first considers indefiniteness markers as grammatical categories, the use/function-based approach, and a geometric representation of implicational universals. It then discusses the implicational map for the uses/functions of indefiniteness markers and shows how it works with three languages: English, Russian, and Nanay (Manchu-Tungusic). The distribution of indefinite pronoun series over the functions on the map in each language is illustrated. These three examples demonstrate how the semantic map captures cross-linguistic generalizations about indefinite pronoun systems and makes universal predictions. The chapter proceeds by explaining the distributional schemas of forty languages that include French, Swedish, Italian, Romanian, Bulgarian, modern Greek, Lithuanian, Irish, Korean, and Persian. Finally, it looks at further restrictions on combinations of functions and earlier formulations of typological implications.
R. M. Sainsbury and Michael Tye
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199695317
- eISBN:
- 9780191738531
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199695317.003.0009
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Language
In this chapter a total of 18 objections are canvassed, and our replies given.
In this chapter a total of 18 objections are canvassed, and our replies given.
Carlo Cecchetto and Caterina Donati
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- September 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780262028721
- eISBN:
- 9780262327220
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262028721.003.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology
Chapter 1 sets the stage for the theory of labeling proposed in this book. In order to claim that words have a labeling power, one must assume that (i) they have a theoretical significance and (ii) ...
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Chapter 1 sets the stage for the theory of labeling proposed in this book. In order to claim that words have a labeling power, one must assume that (i) they have a theoretical significance and (ii) they are intrinsically endowed with a category to transmit. The feasibility of these two assumptions, and ultimately of a traditional lexicalist stand, is discussed at the light of a number of empirical and theoretical arguments. Psycholinguistic and neurolinguistic evidence suggests that category determination is pre-syntactic, namely either words enter syntax already equipped with a label or a root must come bundled with a categorizing head.Less
Chapter 1 sets the stage for the theory of labeling proposed in this book. In order to claim that words have a labeling power, one must assume that (i) they have a theoretical significance and (ii) they are intrinsically endowed with a category to transmit. The feasibility of these two assumptions, and ultimately of a traditional lexicalist stand, is discussed at the light of a number of empirical and theoretical arguments. Psycholinguistic and neurolinguistic evidence suggests that category determination is pre-syntactic, namely either words enter syntax already equipped with a label or a root must come bundled with a categorizing head.
Steven N. Dworkin
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199541140
- eISBN:
- 9780191741395
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199541140.003.0012
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, Language Families
This chapter offers a summary of this book’s findings with regard to the issues raised in Chapter 1. The Latin/Spanish continuum has been receptive throughout its history to the incorporation of ...
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This chapter offers a summary of this book’s findings with regard to the issues raised in Chapter 1. The Latin/Spanish continuum has been receptive throughout its history to the incorporation of loanwords resulting from oral and written language contact. Any analysis of the impact of loanwords must rest on a base of solid etymologies. A study of cross-linguistic trends observable in loanwords may help evaluate hypotheses that identify a specific lexical item as a loanword. This chapter offers thoughts concerning the grammatical category of loanwords, the rivalry between loanwords and items already present in the language, their diffusion through the speech community, and their subsequent integration, vitality, and survival.Less
This chapter offers a summary of this book’s findings with regard to the issues raised in Chapter 1. The Latin/Spanish continuum has been receptive throughout its history to the incorporation of loanwords resulting from oral and written language contact. Any analysis of the impact of loanwords must rest on a base of solid etymologies. A study of cross-linguistic trends observable in loanwords may help evaluate hypotheses that identify a specific lexical item as a loanword. This chapter offers thoughts concerning the grammatical category of loanwords, the rivalry between loanwords and items already present in the language, their diffusion through the speech community, and their subsequent integration, vitality, and survival.
Steven N. Dworkin
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199541140
- eISBN:
- 9780191741395
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199541140.003.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, Language Families
This chapter stresses the need to study the introduction and incorporation of loanwords from a linguistic rather than a cultural perspective. This approach to loanwords in Spanish must deal with ...
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This chapter stresses the need to study the introduction and incorporation of loanwords from a linguistic rather than a cultural perspective. This approach to loanwords in Spanish must deal with several issues. They include the extralinguistic relationship between the donor and recipient languages, donor-language- versus recipient-language-initiated borrowing, genetic relationship and typological affinities between the donor language and Spanish, transmission through speech or written texts, the legitimacy of the concepts of “necessary” and “luxury” loans, the semantics of loanwords, and the impact of loanwords on the phonology and derivational morphology of Spanish. The study of loanwords must rest on a base of accurate etymologies. Cross-linguistic tendencies observable in the grammatical categories and semantic fields of borrowings may help evaluate etymological proposals concerning possible loanwords. The chapter concludes with some observations on the recently completed Loanword Typology Project.Less
This chapter stresses the need to study the introduction and incorporation of loanwords from a linguistic rather than a cultural perspective. This approach to loanwords in Spanish must deal with several issues. They include the extralinguistic relationship between the donor and recipient languages, donor-language- versus recipient-language-initiated borrowing, genetic relationship and typological affinities between the donor language and Spanish, transmission through speech or written texts, the legitimacy of the concepts of “necessary” and “luxury” loans, the semantics of loanwords, and the impact of loanwords on the phonology and derivational morphology of Spanish. The study of loanwords must rest on a base of accurate etymologies. Cross-linguistic tendencies observable in the grammatical categories and semantic fields of borrowings may help evaluate etymological proposals concerning possible loanwords. The chapter concludes with some observations on the recently completed Loanword Typology Project.
María J. Arche, Antonio Fábregas, and Rafael Marín (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2019
- Published Online:
- March 2019
- ISBN:
- 9780198829850
- eISBN:
- 9780191868344
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198829850.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology, Semantics and Pragmatics
Copular verbs and copular sentences have been for many years a central issue in the theoretical discussions about the nature of (light) verbs and other grammatical categories, the ingredients of ...
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Copular verbs and copular sentences have been for many years a central issue in the theoretical discussions about the nature of (light) verbs and other grammatical categories, the ingredients of predication structures, the properties of nominal categories, agreement, and the interaction between syntax and semantics at the level of clause structure. The current research on copulas has gone beyond the investigation of what kind of objects they are, and has implications for the nature of agreement and other formal processes in syntax and morphology, as well as proposals about the types of structure building operations available in natural languages, the types of features that lexical selection is sensitive to, and the possibility that languages have access to semantically-empty elements required for the satisfaction of purely formal properties. The twelve works included in this volume illustrate the state of the art of these discussions through the analysis of detailed patterns of data from a variety of languages.Less
Copular verbs and copular sentences have been for many years a central issue in the theoretical discussions about the nature of (light) verbs and other grammatical categories, the ingredients of predication structures, the properties of nominal categories, agreement, and the interaction between syntax and semantics at the level of clause structure. The current research on copulas has gone beyond the investigation of what kind of objects they are, and has implications for the nature of agreement and other formal processes in syntax and morphology, as well as proposals about the types of structure building operations available in natural languages, the types of features that lexical selection is sensitive to, and the possibility that languages have access to semantically-empty elements required for the satisfaction of purely formal properties. The twelve works included in this volume illustrate the state of the art of these discussions through the analysis of detailed patterns of data from a variety of languages.
Heiko Narrog and Bernd Heine (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- December 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780198795841
- eISBN:
- 9780191837036
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198795841.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, Language Families
This volume explores the way in which grammaticalization processesâ whereby lexical words eventually become markers of grammatical categories—converge and differ across various types of language. ...
More
This volume explores the way in which grammaticalization processesâ whereby lexical words eventually become markers of grammatical categories—converge and differ across various types of language. While grammaticalization at its core is a unidirectional phenomenon, in which the same pathways of change are replicated across languages, certain language types and language areas have distinct preferences with respect to what they grammaticalize and how. Previous work has principally addressed this question with specific reference to languages of Southeast and East Asia that do not seem to grammaticalize paradigms of categories in the same manner as Indo-European languages, or form extensive grammaticalization chains. This volume takes a broader approach and proceeds systematically area by area: specialists in the field address the processes of grammaticalization in languages of Africa, Europe, Asia and the Pacific, and the Americas, and in creole languages. The studies reveal a number of unique pathways of grammaticalization in each language area, as well as identifying the universal shared features of the phenomenon.Less
This volume explores the way in which grammaticalization processesâ whereby lexical words eventually become markers of grammatical categories—converge and differ across various types of language. While grammaticalization at its core is a unidirectional phenomenon, in which the same pathways of change are replicated across languages, certain language types and language areas have distinct preferences with respect to what they grammaticalize and how. Previous work has principally addressed this question with specific reference to languages of Southeast and East Asia that do not seem to grammaticalize paradigms of categories in the same manner as Indo-European languages, or form extensive grammaticalization chains. This volume takes a broader approach and proceeds systematically area by area: specialists in the field address the processes of grammaticalization in languages of Africa, Europe, Asia and the Pacific, and the Americas, and in creole languages. The studies reveal a number of unique pathways of grammaticalization in each language area, as well as identifying the universal shared features of the phenomenon.
