Kees Hengeveld and J. Lachlan Mackenzie
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199278107
- eISBN:
- 9780191707797
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199278107.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Psycholinguistics / Neurolinguistics / Cognitive Linguistics, Theoretical Linguistics
This book presents Functional Discourse Grammar (FDG). Chapter 1 gives an overall picture of the model and places it in the context of contemporary linguistics. Chapter 2 presents the interpersonal ...
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This book presents Functional Discourse Grammar (FDG). Chapter 1 gives an overall picture of the model and places it in the context of contemporary linguistics. Chapter 2 presents the interpersonal level of the grammar, at which the Discourse Act, the central object of FDG, is analysed. Chapter 3 is a systematic account of the representational level, where semantic distinctions are located. Chapter 4 is concerned with the morphosyntactic level and Chapter 5 with the phonological level; these show how FDG treats formal distinctions across languages. The book ends with Chapter 6, an application of the theory to sample Discourse Acts.Less
This book presents Functional Discourse Grammar (FDG). Chapter 1 gives an overall picture of the model and places it in the context of contemporary linguistics. Chapter 2 presents the interpersonal level of the grammar, at which the Discourse Act, the central object of FDG, is analysed. Chapter 3 is a systematic account of the representational level, where semantic distinctions are located. Chapter 4 is concerned with the morphosyntactic level and Chapter 5 with the phonological level; these show how FDG treats formal distinctions across languages. The book ends with Chapter 6, an application of the theory to sample Discourse Acts.
Gregory D.S. Anderson
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199280315
- eISBN:
- 9780191707186
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199280315.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Language Families
This book presents findings from a long-term study of a range of complex predicate types subsumed under the heading, Auxiliary Verb Constructions (AVCs), drawing on a database of over 800 languages. ...
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This book presents findings from a long-term study of a range of complex predicate types subsumed under the heading, Auxiliary Verb Constructions (AVCs), drawing on a database of over 800 languages. Chapter 1 discusses how the terms auxiliary verb and auxiliary verb construction are understood, and then provides an overview of the kinds of functional categories that AVCs serve to encode. A cursory typology is offered of the patterns of encoding inflectional/morphosyntactic/ functional semantic categories in AVCs, and notions of functional and formal headedness within AVCs are introduced. Five macro-patterns of inflection emerge, each with several sub-patterns. Chapters 2 to 5 are dedicated to the presentation of the varied sub-types of inflectional patterns seen in AVCs. These are called the AUX-headed, LEX-headed, doubled, and the split and split/doubled patterns. Each of these is extensively exemplified. In the final two chapters, various aspects of the diachronic origins of AVCs are discussed. Chapter 6 discusses where AVCs go once they have been grammaticalized, offering a range of complex verb forms that have derived from each of the inflectional macro-patterns of AVCs. Chapter 7 discusses diachronic origins of AVCs. This includes a discussion of both typical lexical source semantics for the grammaticalization paths of individual functional subtypes of AVC as well as the syntactic source construction types for each of the five macro-patterns and some of their more common sub-patterns. These source constructions draw into the discussion of how auxiliary verb constructions fit within the broadest possible typology of complex predicate phenomena. It offers an analysis of not only AVCs, but also such related complex predicate phenomena as serial verb constructions, verb complement structures, coordinate and clause chaining constructions, ‘light’ verbs, etc.Less
This book presents findings from a long-term study of a range of complex predicate types subsumed under the heading, Auxiliary Verb Constructions (AVCs), drawing on a database of over 800 languages. Chapter 1 discusses how the terms auxiliary verb and auxiliary verb construction are understood, and then provides an overview of the kinds of functional categories that AVCs serve to encode. A cursory typology is offered of the patterns of encoding inflectional/morphosyntactic/ functional semantic categories in AVCs, and notions of functional and formal headedness within AVCs are introduced. Five macro-patterns of inflection emerge, each with several sub-patterns. Chapters 2 to 5 are dedicated to the presentation of the varied sub-types of inflectional patterns seen in AVCs. These are called the AUX-headed, LEX-headed, doubled, and the split and split/doubled patterns. Each of these is extensively exemplified. In the final two chapters, various aspects of the diachronic origins of AVCs are discussed. Chapter 6 discusses where AVCs go once they have been grammaticalized, offering a range of complex verb forms that have derived from each of the inflectional macro-patterns of AVCs. Chapter 7 discusses diachronic origins of AVCs. This includes a discussion of both typical lexical source semantics for the grammaticalization paths of individual functional subtypes of AVC as well as the syntactic source construction types for each of the five macro-patterns and some of their more common sub-patterns. These source constructions draw into the discussion of how auxiliary verb constructions fit within the broadest possible typology of complex predicate phenomena. It offers an analysis of not only AVCs, but also such related complex predicate phenomena as serial verb constructions, verb complement structures, coordinate and clause chaining constructions, ‘light’ verbs, etc.
Gregory D. S. Anderson
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199280315
- eISBN:
- 9780191707186
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199280315.003.0007
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Language Families
This chapter discusses the historical syntax, morphosyntax, and semantics of the developments of auxiliary verb constructions. It begins with an overview of the original structures that gave rise to ...
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This chapter discusses the historical syntax, morphosyntax, and semantics of the developments of auxiliary verb constructions. It begins with an overview of the original structures that gave rise to the patterns themselves, specifically the constructions that give rise to the various inflectional subtypes of auxiliary verb constructions from the perspective of their diachronic relation to serial verb constructions, verb plus clausal complement structures, and clause-chaining formations. Thus, the five inflectional macro-patterns of auxiliary verb constructions attested across the languages of the world are to be explained by their diverse heterogeneous constructional source pool. The particular configurations of combinations of source verbs of differing valence and morphosyntactic properties yield the diverse set of functional constructions attested. This chapter also discusses in brief the historical semantic processes of grammaticalization reflected in the development of auxiliary verb constructions, classifying different typical paths of lexical to functional semantic specialization. It is shown that the semantic-pragmatic paths of development of the specific sub-types of lexical classes of predicates into indexes of functional categories follow particular and relatively straightforward shifts and specializations with respect to individual classes of auxiliaries in the process of their grammaticalization.Less
This chapter discusses the historical syntax, morphosyntax, and semantics of the developments of auxiliary verb constructions. It begins with an overview of the original structures that gave rise to the patterns themselves, specifically the constructions that give rise to the various inflectional subtypes of auxiliary verb constructions from the perspective of their diachronic relation to serial verb constructions, verb plus clausal complement structures, and clause-chaining formations. Thus, the five inflectional macro-patterns of auxiliary verb constructions attested across the languages of the world are to be explained by their diverse heterogeneous constructional source pool. The particular configurations of combinations of source verbs of differing valence and morphosyntactic properties yield the diverse set of functional constructions attested. This chapter also discusses in brief the historical semantic processes of grammaticalization reflected in the development of auxiliary verb constructions, classifying different typical paths of lexical to functional semantic specialization. It is shown that the semantic-pragmatic paths of development of the specific sub-types of lexical classes of predicates into indexes of functional categories follow particular and relatively straightforward shifts and specializations with respect to individual classes of auxiliaries in the process of their grammaticalization.
Stephen R. Anderson
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199279906
- eISBN:
- 9780191707131
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199279906.003.0004
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology
This chapter focuses on the morphosyntax of special clitics. Starting from the classic descriptive generalizations of Zwicky, Klavans, Kaisse, and others about the locations in which these are found, ...
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This chapter focuses on the morphosyntax of special clitics. Starting from the classic descriptive generalizations of Zwicky, Klavans, Kaisse, and others about the locations in which these are found, the chapter asks what kind of theory might be responsible for getting them there. The chapter concludes that morphology and not syntax furnishes the appropriate context for understanding them. Special clitics, that is, constitute a morphology of phrases — a suggestion that has often been made.Less
This chapter focuses on the morphosyntax of special clitics. Starting from the classic descriptive generalizations of Zwicky, Klavans, Kaisse, and others about the locations in which these are found, the chapter asks what kind of theory might be responsible for getting them there. The chapter concludes that morphology and not syntax furnishes the appropriate context for understanding them. Special clitics, that is, constitute a morphology of phrases — a suggestion that has often been made.
Peter Ackema and Ad Neeleman
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199267286
- eISBN:
- 9780191708312
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199267286.003.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology
This chapter is an introduction to the proposed radically modular model of grammar. It compares this model to other models of grammar, focusing on the relationships between syntax and morphology and ...
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This chapter is an introduction to the proposed radically modular model of grammar. It compares this model to other models of grammar, focusing on the relationships between syntax and morphology and between morphosyntax and morphophonology.Less
This chapter is an introduction to the proposed radically modular model of grammar. It compares this model to other models of grammar, focusing on the relationships between syntax and morphology and between morphosyntax and morphophonology.
Vesna Stojanovik
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199594818
- eISBN:
- 9780191738166
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199594818.003.0057
- Subject:
- Psychology, Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology
This chapter reviews the literature on linguistic abilities in English-speaking older children, adolescents, and adults with Williams syndrome (WS) regarding morphosyntax, phonology, lexical ...
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This chapter reviews the literature on linguistic abilities in English-speaking older children, adolescents, and adults with Williams syndrome (WS) regarding morphosyntax, phonology, lexical semantics and pragmatics, and in those speaking other languages. The evidence for the status of different linguistic skills in individuals with WS is evaluated with reference to the current theoretical debate about the contribution of neurodevelopmental disorders to the understanding of typical cognitive organization. The chapter shows the neuroconstructivist approach and that the use of developmental trajectories have advanced current knowledge of the linguistic profile in this population. Links between brain abnormalities and resulting phenotypic outcomes are also discussed.Less
This chapter reviews the literature on linguistic abilities in English-speaking older children, adolescents, and adults with Williams syndrome (WS) regarding morphosyntax, phonology, lexical semantics and pragmatics, and in those speaking other languages. The evidence for the status of different linguistic skills in individuals with WS is evaluated with reference to the current theoretical debate about the contribution of neurodevelopmental disorders to the understanding of typical cognitive organization. The chapter shows the neuroconstructivist approach and that the use of developmental trajectories have advanced current knowledge of the linguistic profile in this population. Links between brain abnormalities and resulting phenotypic outcomes are also discussed.
Jurgen Meisel, Martin Elsig, and Esther Rinke
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- May 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780748642250
- eISBN:
- 9780748695157
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Edinburgh University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3366/edinburgh/9780748642250.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, English Language
This book discusses diachronic change of languages in terms of restructuring of speakers’ internal grammatical knowledge: Under which circumstances does grammatical change come about? One answer in ...
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This book discusses diachronic change of languages in terms of restructuring of speakers’ internal grammatical knowledge: Under which circumstances does grammatical change come about? One answer in historical linguistics has been to invoke the child as principal agent of change. But efforts to construct a theory of diachronic change consistent with findings from psycholinguistics are scarce. Here, these questions are therefore addressed against the background of insights from research on monolingual and bilingual acquisition. Given that children are remarkably successful in reconstructing the grammars of their ambient languages, commonly held views need to be reconsidered according to which language change is primarily triggered by structural ambiguity in the input and in settings of language contact. In an innovative take on this matter, the authors argue that morphosyntactic change in core areas of grammar, especially where parameters of Universal Grammar are concerned, typically happens in settings involving second language acquisition. The children acting as agents of restructuring are either second language (L2) learners themselves or are continuously exposed to the speech of L2 speakers of their target languages. Based on a variety of case studies from Romance languages, this discussion sheds new light on phenomena of change which have occupied historical linguists since the XIXth century.Less
This book discusses diachronic change of languages in terms of restructuring of speakers’ internal grammatical knowledge: Under which circumstances does grammatical change come about? One answer in historical linguistics has been to invoke the child as principal agent of change. But efforts to construct a theory of diachronic change consistent with findings from psycholinguistics are scarce. Here, these questions are therefore addressed against the background of insights from research on monolingual and bilingual acquisition. Given that children are remarkably successful in reconstructing the grammars of their ambient languages, commonly held views need to be reconsidered according to which language change is primarily triggered by structural ambiguity in the input and in settings of language contact. In an innovative take on this matter, the authors argue that morphosyntactic change in core areas of grammar, especially where parameters of Universal Grammar are concerned, typically happens in settings involving second language acquisition. The children acting as agents of restructuring are either second language (L2) learners themselves or are continuously exposed to the speech of L2 speakers of their target languages. Based on a variety of case studies from Romance languages, this discussion sheds new light on phenomena of change which have occupied historical linguists since the XIXth century.
Shoba Bandi-Rao and Marcel den Dikken
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- May 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780262027892
- eISBN:
- 9780262320351
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262027892.003.0007
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics
English -ify and Telugu -inc have similar distributional profiles, both instantiating the ‘little light verb’ v of Chomsky. But while -ify is heavily exploited as an intermediary between a Telugu ...
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English -ify and Telugu -inc have similar distributional profiles, both instantiating the ‘little light verb’ v of Chomsky. But while -ify is heavily exploited as an intermediary between a Telugu verbal root and English verbal inflection in English/Telugu codeswitching, performing a switch at the light v level, ‘light switches’ in the opposite direction, employing Telugu -inc as an intermediary between an English verbal root and Telugu verbal morphology, are out of the question. We seek to answer this asymmetry in English/Telugu codeswitching. Our analysis capitalizes on the difference between English-ify and Telugu -inc: while occupying the same structural position in the tree (v), the two morphemes differ; -inc, an incorporator, creates a complex X0 category which, in codeswitching cases in which the verbal root is English, is not ‘language uniform’. We show that this ban on head-internal switches is a phonological constraint on codeswitching. When ‘light switches’ featuring the ‘little light verb’ v are blocked by this constraint, switching with the aid of a ‘lexical light verb’ V (‘do’) is available as a last resort; when ‘light switches’ employing v are successful, economy considerations block the structurally more complex alternative of switching at the ‘lexical light verb’ level.Less
English -ify and Telugu -inc have similar distributional profiles, both instantiating the ‘little light verb’ v of Chomsky. But while -ify is heavily exploited as an intermediary between a Telugu verbal root and English verbal inflection in English/Telugu codeswitching, performing a switch at the light v level, ‘light switches’ in the opposite direction, employing Telugu -inc as an intermediary between an English verbal root and Telugu verbal morphology, are out of the question. We seek to answer this asymmetry in English/Telugu codeswitching. Our analysis capitalizes on the difference between English-ify and Telugu -inc: while occupying the same structural position in the tree (v), the two morphemes differ; -inc, an incorporator, creates a complex X0 category which, in codeswitching cases in which the verbal root is English, is not ‘language uniform’. We show that this ban on head-internal switches is a phonological constraint on codeswitching. When ‘light switches’ featuring the ‘little light verb’ v are blocked by this constraint, switching with the aid of a ‘lexical light verb’ V (‘do’) is available as a last resort; when ‘light switches’ employing v are successful, economy considerations block the structurally more complex alternative of switching at the ‘lexical light verb’ level.
Nikolaus P. Himmelmann and Eva F. Schultze-Berndt (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199272266
- eISBN:
- 9780191709975
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199272266.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology
Depictive secondary predicates such as ‘raw’ in ‘George ate the fish raw’ are important for current issues in syntactic and semantic theory, in particular predication theory, phrase structure ...
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Depictive secondary predicates such as ‘raw’ in ‘George ate the fish raw’ are important for current issues in syntactic and semantic theory, in particular predication theory, phrase structure theories, issues of control and grammatical relations, and verbal aspect. This book approaches depictive secondary predication from a cross-linguistic point of view. It traces all the relevant phenomena and brings together critical surveys and new contributions on their morphosyntactic and semantic properties. It particularly considers similarities and differences between secondary predicates and other types of adjuncts, including adverbials of manner, comparison, quantity, and location. The book's approach is theory-neutral and pragmatic: it draws on insights and research traditions ranging from the minimalist program to semantic maps methodology.Less
Depictive secondary predicates such as ‘raw’ in ‘George ate the fish raw’ are important for current issues in syntactic and semantic theory, in particular predication theory, phrase structure theories, issues of control and grammatical relations, and verbal aspect. This book approaches depictive secondary predication from a cross-linguistic point of view. It traces all the relevant phenomena and brings together critical surveys and new contributions on their morphosyntactic and semantic properties. It particularly considers similarities and differences between secondary predicates and other types of adjuncts, including adverbials of manner, comparison, quantity, and location. The book's approach is theory-neutral and pragmatic: it draws on insights and research traditions ranging from the minimalist program to semantic maps methodology.
SANDRA THOMPSON
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195301571
- eISBN:
- 9780199867271
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195301571.003.0012
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, Phonetics / Phonology
The primary hypothesis of functionalist or usage-based linguistics is that language use shapes grammar. The recognized mechanism by which this language-shaping process occurs is frequent repetition. ...
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The primary hypothesis of functionalist or usage-based linguistics is that language use shapes grammar. The recognized mechanism by which this language-shaping process occurs is frequent repetition. This chapter discusses three types of repetition or frequency effects that have been identified as important in phonology and morphology and demonstrates that these same effects are operative in the shaping of the grammar of larger units, that is, in syntax. Two effects of token frequency are reducing effect and conserving effect, which interact with a third effect due to type frequency. This chapter illustrates how the reducing effect and the conserving effect that arise from token frequency can be applied to the constructions of morphosyntax. Similarly, the effect of type frequency on productivity is illustrated for a syntactic construction.Less
The primary hypothesis of functionalist or usage-based linguistics is that language use shapes grammar. The recognized mechanism by which this language-shaping process occurs is frequent repetition. This chapter discusses three types of repetition or frequency effects that have been identified as important in phonology and morphology and demonstrates that these same effects are operative in the shaping of the grammar of larger units, that is, in syntax. Two effects of token frequency are reducing effect and conserving effect, which interact with a third effect due to type frequency. This chapter illustrates how the reducing effect and the conserving effect that arise from token frequency can be applied to the constructions of morphosyntax. Similarly, the effect of type frequency on productivity is illustrated for a syntactic construction.
Diane Lillo-Martin and Deborah Chen Pichler
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- April 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195180947
- eISBN:
- 9780199893737
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195180947.003.0010
- Subject:
- Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Clinical Child Psychology / School Psychology
This chapter examines the acquisition of two aspects of sign language morphosyntax: verb agreement and word order. For each of these areas, it asks whether the theories developed on the basis of ...
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This chapter examines the acquisition of two aspects of sign language morphosyntax: verb agreement and word order. For each of these areas, it asks whether the theories developed on the basis of spoken languages make the right predictions for sign language. If there are differences between sign languages and spoken languages, what would the reasons be? In neither of these areas is the work completed, and areas for further study in both are suggested.Less
This chapter examines the acquisition of two aspects of sign language morphosyntax: verb agreement and word order. For each of these areas, it asks whether the theories developed on the basis of spoken languages make the right predictions for sign language. If there are differences between sign languages and spoken languages, what would the reasons be? In neither of these areas is the work completed, and areas for further study in both are suggested.
Wolfgang David Cirilo de Melo
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199209026
- eISBN:
- 9780191706141
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199209026.001.0001
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Literary Studies: Classical, Early, and Medieval
Early Latin has archaic futures like faxō ‘I shall do’, archaic subjunctives like faxim I may do’, duim ‘I may give’, or attigās ‘you may touch’, and archaic infinitives like impetrāssere ‘to ...
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Early Latin has archaic futures like faxō ‘I shall do’, archaic subjunctives like faxim I may do’, duim ‘I may give’, or attigās ‘you may touch’, and archaic infinitives like impetrāssere ‘to achieve’. These forms are already quite rare in Plautus; a generation later, in Terence, they are almost non-existent. This study focuses on such forms from a synchronic perspective. It examines their meaning, distribution over clause types, register, and productivity. In order to reach reliable conclusions, the book looks at the usage of ‘regular’ futures, subjunctives, and infinitives in the early period. Thus, morphosyntactic phenomena such as the sequence of tenses and the use of subjunctives in prohibitions are examined and compared with classical practice. The work contains diachronic elements as well. Not only does it discuss the reconstruction of elements of the Proto-Italic and Proto-Indo-European verb systems, but it also shows the patterns by which archaic forms were lost in classical and later Latin.Less
Early Latin has archaic futures like faxō ‘I shall do’, archaic subjunctives like faxim I may do’, duim ‘I may give’, or attigās ‘you may touch’, and archaic infinitives like impetrāssere ‘to achieve’. These forms are already quite rare in Plautus; a generation later, in Terence, they are almost non-existent. This study focuses on such forms from a synchronic perspective. It examines their meaning, distribution over clause types, register, and productivity. In order to reach reliable conclusions, the book looks at the usage of ‘regular’ futures, subjunctives, and infinitives in the early period. Thus, morphosyntactic phenomena such as the sequence of tenses and the use of subjunctives in prohibitions are examined and compared with classical practice. The work contains diachronic elements as well. Not only does it discuss the reconstruction of elements of the Proto-Italic and Proto-Indo-European verb systems, but it also shows the patterns by which archaic forms were lost in classical and later Latin.
Nicholas J. Enfield
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199272266
- eISBN:
- 9780191709975
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199272266.003.0012
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology
This chapter begins by describing the Lao language wherein depictive expressions are predominantly verbal. Since the Lao language is a typical isolating language, lacking inflectional morphosyntactic ...
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This chapter begins by describing the Lao language wherein depictive expressions are predominantly verbal. Since the Lao language is a typical isolating language, lacking inflectional morphosyntactic categories such as case-marking and agreement, verbs are distributionally defined, and there is no difference between finite and non-finite verb forms. Thus, it suggests that the distinction between a primary and a secondary predicate can only be constructed with the secondary predicate as an adjunct in the sense that it can be omitted without changing the basic semantics of the primary predication. While having the secondary predicate in this sense, Lao does not have a particular depictive construction involving verbs, since not only depictive but also resultative and adverbial meanings can be conveyed by unmarked verbs functioning as secondary predicates. This chapter addresses pragmatic restrictions on specific combinations of primary and secondary predicate, associated to the relevance and/or conventionality of the combination.Less
This chapter begins by describing the Lao language wherein depictive expressions are predominantly verbal. Since the Lao language is a typical isolating language, lacking inflectional morphosyntactic categories such as case-marking and agreement, verbs are distributionally defined, and there is no difference between finite and non-finite verb forms. Thus, it suggests that the distinction between a primary and a secondary predicate can only be constructed with the secondary predicate as an adjunct in the sense that it can be omitted without changing the basic semantics of the primary predication. While having the secondary predicate in this sense, Lao does not have a particular depictive construction involving verbs, since not only depictive but also resultative and adverbial meanings can be conveyed by unmarked verbs functioning as secondary predicates. This chapter addresses pragmatic restrictions on specific combinations of primary and secondary predicate, associated to the relevance and/or conventionality of the combination.
Laura Brugé, Anna Cardinaletti, Giuliana Giusti, Nicola Munaro, and Cecilia Poletto (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199746736
- eISBN:
- 9780199949519
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199746736.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology
Ever since Chomsky’s Barriers, functional heads have been the privileged object of research in generative linguistics. But over the last two decades, two rival approaches have developed. The ...
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Ever since Chomsky’s Barriers, functional heads have been the privileged object of research in generative linguistics. But over the last two decades, two rival approaches have developed. The cartographic project considers evidence for a functional head in one language as evidence for it in universal grammar. On the other hand, minimalist accounts tend to consider structural economy as literally involving as few heads as possible. In the present volume, some of the most influential linguists who have participated in this long-lasting debate offer their recent work in short, self-contained case studies. The chapters cover all the main layers of recently studied syntactic structure, including such major areas of empirical research such as grammaticalization and language change, standard and non-standard varieties, interface issues, and morphosyntax. This book attempts to map aspects of syntactic structure following the cartographic approach, and in doing so demonstrates that the differences between the cartographic approach and the minimalist approach are more apparent than substantial.Less
Ever since Chomsky’s Barriers, functional heads have been the privileged object of research in generative linguistics. But over the last two decades, two rival approaches have developed. The cartographic project considers evidence for a functional head in one language as evidence for it in universal grammar. On the other hand, minimalist accounts tend to consider structural economy as literally involving as few heads as possible. In the present volume, some of the most influential linguists who have participated in this long-lasting debate offer their recent work in short, self-contained case studies. The chapters cover all the main layers of recently studied syntactic structure, including such major areas of empirical research such as grammaticalization and language change, standard and non-standard varieties, interface issues, and morphosyntax. This book attempts to map aspects of syntactic structure following the cartographic approach, and in doing so demonstrates that the differences between the cartographic approach and the minimalist approach are more apparent than substantial.
Edwin Williams
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199602513
- eISBN:
- 9780191739200
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199602513.003.0004
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology, Semantics and Pragmatics
Head Raising and Affix Hopping are combined into one parameterized operation, Combine, which subsumes Merge as well, and the boundary between syntax and morphosyntax is dissolved. Mirroring of ...
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Head Raising and Affix Hopping are combined into one parameterized operation, Combine, which subsumes Merge as well, and the boundary between syntax and morphosyntax is dissolved. Mirroring of semantics in (morpho)syntax is shown to be relative to the parameters of Combine. Analyses are provided for “bracketing paradoxes” in morphology and operations on theta structure in syntax.Less
Head Raising and Affix Hopping are combined into one parameterized operation, Combine, which subsumes Merge as well, and the boundary between syntax and morphosyntax is dissolved. Mirroring of semantics in (morpho)syntax is shown to be relative to the parameters of Combine. Analyses are provided for “bracketing paradoxes” in morphology and operations on theta structure in syntax.
Adam Ledgeway
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199584376
- eISBN:
- 9780191741463
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199584376.003.0009
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Language Families
This chapter sets out the purpose of the book, which is to examine the changes that occurred in the morphosyntax of the speech of the populations of the formerly Latin-speaking regions, which led to ...
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This chapter sets out the purpose of the book, which is to examine the changes that occurred in the morphosyntax of the speech of the populations of the formerly Latin-speaking regions, which led to the wide typological variation witnessed in the Romance languages and dialects written and spoken today and in the past. Among Romance linguists of all theoretical persuasions, there is general recognition that, in the passage from Latin to Romance, the morphosyntax of the emerging languages underwent significant changes in three fundamental areas of the grammar involving: the nominal group; the verbal group; and the sentence.Less
This chapter sets out the purpose of the book, which is to examine the changes that occurred in the morphosyntax of the speech of the populations of the formerly Latin-speaking regions, which led to the wide typological variation witnessed in the Romance languages and dialects written and spoken today and in the past. Among Romance linguists of all theoretical persuasions, there is general recognition that, in the passage from Latin to Romance, the morphosyntax of the emerging languages underwent significant changes in three fundamental areas of the grammar involving: the nominal group; the verbal group; and the sentence.
Adam Ledgeway
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199584376
- eISBN:
- 9780191741463
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199584376.003.0002
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Language Families
The principal differences in the morphosyntax of Latin and Romance have long been, albeit somewhat simplistically, viewed as representing two opposite poles of a syntheticity-analyticity continuum. ...
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The principal differences in the morphosyntax of Latin and Romance have long been, albeit somewhat simplistically, viewed as representing two opposite poles of a syntheticity-analyticity continuum. This synthetic-analytic dichotomy points to a Sapirian ‘drift’ from the predominantly synthetic structures of Latin towards the characteristically analytic structures of Romance or, ‘a tendency for syntax to take over a number of functions previously within the domain of morphology’ such that ‘an element of meaning previously conveyed by a stem and an affix is now expressed by a syntagm, that is, a combination of two or more elements that would traditionally be labelled words’. This traditional interpretation of the synthesis-analysis cycle proves, however, problematic on a number of accounts, as does the fundamental typological distinction on which it crucially rests.Less
The principal differences in the morphosyntax of Latin and Romance have long been, albeit somewhat simplistically, viewed as representing two opposite poles of a syntheticity-analyticity continuum. This synthetic-analytic dichotomy points to a Sapirian ‘drift’ from the predominantly synthetic structures of Latin towards the characteristically analytic structures of Romance or, ‘a tendency for syntax to take over a number of functions previously within the domain of morphology’ such that ‘an element of meaning previously conveyed by a stem and an affix is now expressed by a syntagm, that is, a combination of two or more elements that would traditionally be labelled words’. This traditional interpretation of the synthesis-analysis cycle proves, however, problematic on a number of accounts, as does the fundamental typological distinction on which it crucially rests.
Adam Ledgeway
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199584376
- eISBN:
- 9780191741463
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199584376.003.0006
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Language Families
This chapter highlights some of the advantages that can be gained from adopting the head-/dependent-marking distinction in understanding a number of the fundamental changes in the morphosyntax of ...
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This chapter highlights some of the advantages that can be gained from adopting the head-/dependent-marking distinction in understanding a number of the fundamental changes in the morphosyntax of Latin and Romance. It notes how this typological distinction can be profitably married together with the results of the previous chapters. In particular, the claim regarding the emergence of functional structure in the passage from Latin to Romance developed in Chapter 4 provides a principled explanation for the gradual rise of head-marking in Romance, since it is precisely the availability of these functional head positions in the grammar which enables the Romance languages to spell out overtly and index the formal properties of their associated dependents. By the same token, the gradual demise of a Latin XP/Specifier-syntax, manifested in the movement operations of phrasal dependents to argument (roll-up) and left-peripheral positions (edge-movement), in favour of a Romance X/Head-syntax, manifested in the gradual rise of head-movement operations and the direct lexicalization of different functional head positions, developed in Chapter 5, provides the necessary analytic tools to interpret the gradual shift away from dependent-marking (specifier-syntax) to head-marking (head-syntax).Less
This chapter highlights some of the advantages that can be gained from adopting the head-/dependent-marking distinction in understanding a number of the fundamental changes in the morphosyntax of Latin and Romance. It notes how this typological distinction can be profitably married together with the results of the previous chapters. In particular, the claim regarding the emergence of functional structure in the passage from Latin to Romance developed in Chapter 4 provides a principled explanation for the gradual rise of head-marking in Romance, since it is precisely the availability of these functional head positions in the grammar which enables the Romance languages to spell out overtly and index the formal properties of their associated dependents. By the same token, the gradual demise of a Latin XP/Specifier-syntax, manifested in the movement operations of phrasal dependents to argument (roll-up) and left-peripheral positions (edge-movement), in favour of a Romance X/Head-syntax, manifested in the gradual rise of head-movement operations and the direct lexicalization of different functional head positions, developed in Chapter 5, provides the necessary analytic tools to interpret the gradual shift away from dependent-marking (specifier-syntax) to head-marking (head-syntax).
Adam Ledgeway
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199584376
- eISBN:
- 9780191741463
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199584376.003.0007
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Language Families
This chapter discusses a number of core changes in the transition from Latin to Romance, in relation to an ongoing and as of yet unresolved conflict between two competing alignments in the marking of ...
More
This chapter discusses a number of core changes in the transition from Latin to Romance, in relation to an ongoing and as of yet unresolved conflict between two competing alignments in the marking of arguments. It shows that, in the passage from Latin to Romance there has been, to some extent, a largely still unresolved oscillation between two coexistent morphosyntactic alignments. Starting from a largely nominative/accusative orientation, most robustly attested in the nominal system, there is considerable evidence to suggest that Latin and subsequently Romance increasingly developed a series of novel active/stative splits at the level of the verbal group, the sentence, and ultimately the nominal group.Less
This chapter discusses a number of core changes in the transition from Latin to Romance, in relation to an ongoing and as of yet unresolved conflict between two competing alignments in the marking of arguments. It shows that, in the passage from Latin to Romance there has been, to some extent, a largely still unresolved oscillation between two coexistent morphosyntactic alignments. Starting from a largely nominative/accusative orientation, most robustly attested in the nominal system, there is considerable evidence to suggest that Latin and subsequently Romance increasingly developed a series of novel active/stative splits at the level of the verbal group, the sentence, and ultimately the nominal group.
Barbara Landau and James E. Hoffman
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- January 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780195385373
- eISBN:
- 9780199979189
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195385373.003.0006
- Subject:
- Psychology, Cognitive Models and Architectures
The chapter presents studies on the semantics and syntax of motion events, the semantics of spatial terms engaging reference systems (e.g. above, below, right, left), and those expressing both ...
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The chapter presents studies on the semantics and syntax of motion events, the semantics of spatial terms engaging reference systems (e.g. above, below, right, left), and those expressing both physical and abstract spatial relationships (e.g. in, on, under). People with WS show rich knowledge of all these aspects of spatial language. Importantly, however, the chapter also finds similar rich knowledge in young normally developing children by the age of 4 or 6. Combined with evidence from the broader literature on vocabulary, morphosyntax, syntax, and syntax-semantics interactions, the chapter suggests that people with WS fully acquire those aspects of language that are normally acquired early but fail to acquire those aspects of language that are normally acquired later. This profile echoes that for spatial functions, consistent with a hypothesis of slow development followed by arrest in WS, for both systems. The last chapter spells out this hypothesis.Less
The chapter presents studies on the semantics and syntax of motion events, the semantics of spatial terms engaging reference systems (e.g. above, below, right, left), and those expressing both physical and abstract spatial relationships (e.g. in, on, under). People with WS show rich knowledge of all these aspects of spatial language. Importantly, however, the chapter also finds similar rich knowledge in young normally developing children by the age of 4 or 6. Combined with evidence from the broader literature on vocabulary, morphosyntax, syntax, and syntax-semantics interactions, the chapter suggests that people with WS fully acquire those aspects of language that are normally acquired early but fail to acquire those aspects of language that are normally acquired later. This profile echoes that for spatial functions, consistent with a hypothesis of slow development followed by arrest in WS, for both systems. The last chapter spells out this hypothesis.
