William Croft
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198299554
- eISBN:
- 9780191708091
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198299554.003.0003
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology
Radical Construction Grammar, like other construction grammars, treats constructions as pairings of form and meaning, and like typology, uses meaning as the basis for crosslinguistic comparison. ...
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Radical Construction Grammar, like other construction grammars, treats constructions as pairings of form and meaning, and like typology, uses meaning as the basis for crosslinguistic comparison. Semantic or linguistic relativity poses a potential problem for Radical Construction Grammar, because it hypothesizes that meaning varies depending on the formal constructions used. This chapter argues that arguments for semantic relativity contain several hidden assumptions which are implausible: contrast across languages implies contrast within a language; semantic analyses always involve monosemy, not polysemy; linguistic analyses must avoid syntagmatic semantic redundancy; and one can only posit a relativistic analysis of one part of a construction by assuming a universal analysis of another part of the construction (the Semantic Uncertainty Principle). Instead, grammatical differences are the result of different patterns of semantic extension and grammaticalization, and semantic change eventually reasserts the universal semantics of particular situation types.Less
Radical Construction Grammar, like other construction grammars, treats constructions as pairings of form and meaning, and like typology, uses meaning as the basis for crosslinguistic comparison. Semantic or linguistic relativity poses a potential problem for Radical Construction Grammar, because it hypothesizes that meaning varies depending on the formal constructions used. This chapter argues that arguments for semantic relativity contain several hidden assumptions which are implausible: contrast across languages implies contrast within a language; semantic analyses always involve monosemy, not polysemy; linguistic analyses must avoid syntagmatic semantic redundancy; and one can only posit a relativistic analysis of one part of a construction by assuming a universal analysis of another part of the construction (the Semantic Uncertainty Principle). Instead, grammatical differences are the result of different patterns of semantic extension and grammaticalization, and semantic change eventually reasserts the universal semantics of particular situation types.
Heiko Narrog
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199694372
- eISBN:
- 9780191742279
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199694372.003.0003
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Semantics and Pragmatics
After clarifying basic terms and concepts in the area of semantic change in section 1, extant hypotheses on semantic change in modality are discussed in section 2. Section 3 presents a personal view ...
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After clarifying basic terms and concepts in the area of semantic change in section 1, extant hypotheses on semantic change in modality are discussed in section 2. Section 3 presents a personal view of semantic change in modality, which is defined by the following overall tendencies: first, semantic change as category climbing, that is, change from lower to higher categories in semantic and syntactic hierarchical clause structures, and second, increase in speech‐act‐orientation, including speaker‐orientation (subjectivity), hearer‐orientation (intersubjectivity), and discourse‐orientation.Less
After clarifying basic terms and concepts in the area of semantic change in section 1, extant hypotheses on semantic change in modality are discussed in section 2. Section 3 presents a personal view of semantic change in modality, which is defined by the following overall tendencies: first, semantic change as category climbing, that is, change from lower to higher categories in semantic and syntactic hierarchical clause structures, and second, increase in speech‐act‐orientation, including speaker‐orientation (subjectivity), hearer‐orientation (intersubjectivity), and discourse‐orientation.
Heiko Narrog
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199694372
- eISBN:
- 9780191742279
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199694372.003.0008
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Semantics and Pragmatics
This chapter summarizes the preceding discussions and presents some concluding thoughts. It was the goal of this study to provide a new overall model for modal meanings and semantic change in the ...
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This chapter summarizes the preceding discussions and presents some concluding thoughts. It was the goal of this study to provide a new overall model for modal meanings and semantic change in the area of verbal categories in general. In a limited space, only a limited amount of topics and data could be discussed. Language change takes place within specific discourse and social contexts. The cross-linguistic approach of this study can only complement but not take the place of detailed corpus-based studies on specific forms and constructions in specific languages. Nevertheless, it is hoped that the framework espoused here is compatible with a wider range of language data than are previous models and hypotheses, and that it should be useful for the analysis of semantic change in modality and other verbal categories on a micro-level as well.Less
This chapter summarizes the preceding discussions and presents some concluding thoughts. It was the goal of this study to provide a new overall model for modal meanings and semantic change in the area of verbal categories in general. In a limited space, only a limited amount of topics and data could be discussed. Language change takes place within specific discourse and social contexts. The cross-linguistic approach of this study can only complement but not take the place of detailed corpus-based studies on specific forms and constructions in specific languages. Nevertheless, it is hoped that the framework espoused here is compatible with a wider range of language data than are previous models and hypotheses, and that it should be useful for the analysis of semantic change in modality and other verbal categories on a micro-level as well.
Heiko Narrog
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199694372
- eISBN:
- 9780191742279
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199694372.003.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Semantics and Pragmatics
Goals of this book — theoretical orientation/principles of the approach
Goals of this book — theoretical orientation/principles of the approach
Heiko Narrog
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199694372
- eISBN:
- 9780191742279
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199694372.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Semantics and Pragmatics
This book deals with the issue of subjectivity (and intersubjectivity) in modality from a synchronic perspective, and from a diachronic perspective more generally with semantic change in modality, ...
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This book deals with the issue of subjectivity (and intersubjectivity) in modality from a synchronic perspective, and from a diachronic perspective more generally with semantic change in modality, including the tendencies of subjectification and intersubjectification. This book argues for a definition of modality in terms of factivity independent of subjectivity or speaker attitudes. Instead, (inter)subjectivity, re‐conceptualized as speech‐act orientation is taken as a dimension in identifying different types of modality together with volitivity. The following diachronic part of the book tries to demonstrate that diachronic change in modality is characterized by two major tendencies that are parallel to each other: First, a tendency towards more speech‐act‐oriented meaning, which includes speaker‐oriented (subjective), hearer‐oriented (intersubjective), and discourse‐oriented meaning, and second, a tendency to structurally higher positions in syntax. The book further shows that other categories, such as possibility vs. necessity, or participant‐internal vs. participant‐external do not define semantic change in modality, and that extension from deontic to epistemic meaning is only a limited tendency. Finally, investigations on semantic change between modality and other grammatical categories, such as voice and aspect, support the overall directionality of change proposed in this book.Less
This book deals with the issue of subjectivity (and intersubjectivity) in modality from a synchronic perspective, and from a diachronic perspective more generally with semantic change in modality, including the tendencies of subjectification and intersubjectification. This book argues for a definition of modality in terms of factivity independent of subjectivity or speaker attitudes. Instead, (inter)subjectivity, re‐conceptualized as speech‐act orientation is taken as a dimension in identifying different types of modality together with volitivity. The following diachronic part of the book tries to demonstrate that diachronic change in modality is characterized by two major tendencies that are parallel to each other: First, a tendency towards more speech‐act‐oriented meaning, which includes speaker‐oriented (subjective), hearer‐oriented (intersubjective), and discourse‐oriented meaning, and second, a tendency to structurally higher positions in syntax. The book further shows that other categories, such as possibility vs. necessity, or participant‐internal vs. participant‐external do not define semantic change in modality, and that extension from deontic to epistemic meaning is only a limited tendency. Finally, investigations on semantic change between modality and other grammatical categories, such as voice and aspect, support the overall directionality of change proposed in this book.
David Langslow
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- September 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780198153023
- eISBN:
- 9780191715211
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198153023.003.0077
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Prose and Writers: Classical, Early, and Medieval
Lectures 22–5 are devoted to the use of prepositions in combination with case-forms. Lecture 22 addresses their placement before or (in anastrophe) after the noun, in a noun phrase, in a string of ...
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Lectures 22–5 are devoted to the use of prepositions in combination with case-forms. Lecture 22 addresses their placement before or (in anastrophe) after the noun, in a noun phrase, in a string of nouns in coordination, or fixed in old combinations. There follow (Lecture 23) some general remarks on the cases governed by prepositions,with special attention to the genitive in Greek, the ablative in Latin, and the accusative in both. Lecture 24 covers the general tendency towards increased use of prepositional expressions, and, on the other hand, the use of certain case-forms without prepositions. Combinations of preposition + adverb, and the occurrence and ordering of strings of more than one preposition/preverb are treated in Lecture 25. The last lecture in this chapter (Lecture 26) is on the meaning — and change of meaning — of individual prepositions. Some general remarks on semantic change are followed by two case-studies (Gk πρό and μετά).Less
Lectures 22–5 are devoted to the use of prepositions in combination with case-forms. Lecture 22 addresses their placement before or (in anastrophe) after the noun, in a noun phrase, in a string of nouns in coordination, or fixed in old combinations. There follow (Lecture 23) some general remarks on the cases governed by prepositions,with special attention to the genitive in Greek, the ablative in Latin, and the accusative in both. Lecture 24 covers the general tendency towards increased use of prepositional expressions, and, on the other hand, the use of certain case-forms without prepositions. Combinations of preposition + adverb, and the occurrence and ordering of strings of more than one preposition/preverb are treated in Lecture 25. The last lecture in this chapter (Lecture 26) is on the meaning — and change of meaning — of individual prepositions. Some general remarks on semantic change are followed by two case-studies (Gk πρό and μετά).
Heiko Narrog
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199694372
- eISBN:
- 9780191742279
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199694372.003.0004
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Semantics and Pragmatics
This chapter illustrates the model of semantic change in modality as proposed in the previous chapter with a number of case studies, including English can, Spanish capaz, and a fair number of ...
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This chapter illustrates the model of semantic change in modality as proposed in the previous chapter with a number of case studies, including English can, Spanish capaz, and a fair number of Japanese modal markers. It is demonstrated that in each of the cases presented the model proposed here captures the documented changes well, while previous models would fail to do so.Less
This chapter illustrates the model of semantic change in modality as proposed in the previous chapter with a number of case studies, including English can, Spanish capaz, and a fair number of Japanese modal markers. It is demonstrated that in each of the cases presented the model proposed here captures the documented changes well, while previous models would fail to do so.
David Langslow
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- September 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780198153023
- eISBN:
- 9780191715211
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198153023.003.0074
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Prose and Writers: Classical, Early, and Medieval
Lectures 22–5 are devoted to the use of prepositions in combination with case-forms. Lecture 22 addresses their placement before or (in anastrophe) after the noun,in a noun phrase, in a string of ...
More
Lectures 22–5 are devoted to the use of prepositions in combination with case-forms. Lecture 22 addresses their placement before or (in anastrophe) after the noun,in a noun phrase, in a string of nouns in coordination, or fixed in old combinations. There follow (Lecture 23) some general remarks on the cases governed by prepositions, with special attention to the genitive in Greek, the ablative in Latin, and the accusative in both. Lecture 24 covers the general tendency towards increased use of prepositional expressions, and, on the other hand, the use of certain case-forms without prepositions. Combinations of preposition + adverb, and the occurrence and ordering of strings of more than one preposition/preverb are treated in Lecture 25. The last lecture in this chapter (Lecture 26) is on the meaning — and change of meaning — of individual prepositions. Some general remarks on semantic change are followed by two case-studies (Gk πρό and μετά).Less
Lectures 22–5 are devoted to the use of prepositions in combination with case-forms. Lecture 22 addresses their placement before or (in anastrophe) after the noun,in a noun phrase, in a string of nouns in coordination, or fixed in old combinations. There follow (Lecture 23) some general remarks on the cases governed by prepositions, with special attention to the genitive in Greek, the ablative in Latin, and the accusative in both. Lecture 24 covers the general tendency towards increased use of prepositional expressions, and, on the other hand, the use of certain case-forms without prepositions. Combinations of preposition + adverb, and the occurrence and ordering of strings of more than one preposition/preverb are treated in Lecture 25. The last lecture in this chapter (Lecture 26) is on the meaning — and change of meaning — of individual prepositions. Some general remarks on semantic change are followed by two case-studies (Gk πρό and μετά).
Osamu Sawada
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- December 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780198714224
- eISBN:
- 9780191782633
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198714224.003.0009
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Semantics and Pragmatics, Psycholinguistics / Neurolinguistics / Cognitive Linguistics
Chapter 9 considers the development of pragmatic scalar modifiers from a historical point of view. The main point is that although the directionality of the semantic change of scalar modifiers can be ...
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Chapter 9 considers the development of pragmatic scalar modifiers from a historical point of view. The main point is that although the directionality of the semantic change of scalar modifiers can be captured under a general path of semantic change or grammaticalization (i.e. propositional $>$ (textual) $>$ expressive; Traugott 1982), the semantic shift of scalar modifiers is not lexically at random. The chapter argues that semantic change in scalar modifiers is constrained or regulated by their lexical and morphosyntactic properties. At the lexical level, this constraint means that semantic change does not occur if the source meaning does not fit with an expressive mode. At the morphosyntactic level, there is a general constraint that the elements used for expressing a particular CI meaning must form a constituent. Finally, the relationship between syntactic change and semantic change is also discussed.Less
Chapter 9 considers the development of pragmatic scalar modifiers from a historical point of view. The main point is that although the directionality of the semantic change of scalar modifiers can be captured under a general path of semantic change or grammaticalization (i.e. propositional $>$ (textual) $>$ expressive; Traugott 1982), the semantic shift of scalar modifiers is not lexically at random. The chapter argues that semantic change in scalar modifiers is constrained or regulated by their lexical and morphosyntactic properties. At the lexical level, this constraint means that semantic change does not occur if the source meaning does not fit with an expressive mode. At the morphosyntactic level, there is a general constraint that the elements used for expressing a particular CI meaning must form a constituent. Finally, the relationship between syntactic change and semantic change is also discussed.
David Langslow
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- September 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780198153023
- eISBN:
- 9780191715211
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198153023.003.0075
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Prose and Writers: Classical, Early, and Medieval
Lectures 22–5 are devoted to the use of prepositions in combination with case-forms. Lecture 22 addresses their placement before or (in anastrophe) after the noun, in a noun phrase,in a string of ...
More
Lectures 22–5 are devoted to the use of prepositions in combination with case-forms. Lecture 22 addresses their placement before or (in anastrophe) after the noun, in a noun phrase,in a string of nouns in coordination, or fixed in old combinations. There follow (Lecture 23) some general remarks on the cases governed by prepositions, with special attention to the genitive in Greek, the ablative in Latin, and the accusative in both. Lecture 24 covers the general tendency towards increased use of prepositional expressions, and, on the other hand, the use of certain case-forms without prepositions. Combinations of preposition + adverb, and the occurrence and ordering of strings of more than one preposition/preverb are treated in Lecture 25. The last lecture in this chapter (Lecture 26) is on the meaning — and change of meaning — of individual prepositions. Some general remarks on semantic change are followed by two case-studies (Gk πρό and μετά).Less
Lectures 22–5 are devoted to the use of prepositions in combination with case-forms. Lecture 22 addresses their placement before or (in anastrophe) after the noun, in a noun phrase,in a string of nouns in coordination, or fixed in old combinations. There follow (Lecture 23) some general remarks on the cases governed by prepositions, with special attention to the genitive in Greek, the ablative in Latin, and the accusative in both. Lecture 24 covers the general tendency towards increased use of prepositional expressions, and, on the other hand, the use of certain case-forms without prepositions. Combinations of preposition + adverb, and the occurrence and ordering of strings of more than one preposition/preverb are treated in Lecture 25. The last lecture in this chapter (Lecture 26) is on the meaning — and change of meaning — of individual prepositions. Some general remarks on semantic change are followed by two case-studies (Gk πρό and μετά).
David Langslow
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- September 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780198153023
- eISBN:
- 9780191715211
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198153023.003.0076
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Prose and Writers: Classical, Early, and Medieval
Lectures 22–5 are devoted to the use of prepositions in combination with case-forms. Lecture 22 addresses their placement before or (in anastrophe) after the noun, in a noun phrase, in a string of ...
More
Lectures 22–5 are devoted to the use of prepositions in combination with case-forms. Lecture 22 addresses their placement before or (in anastrophe) after the noun, in a noun phrase, in a string of nouns in coordination,or fixed in old combinations. There follow (Lecture 23) some general remarks on the cases governed by prepositions, with special attention to the genitive in Greek, the ablative in Latin, and the accusative in both. Lecture 24 covers the general tendency towards increased use of prepositional expressions, and, on the other hand, the use of certain case-forms without prepositions. Combinations of preposition + adverb, and the occurrence and ordering of strings of more than one preposition/preverb are treated in Lecture 25. The last lecture in this chapter (Lecture 26) is on the meaning — and change of meaning — of individual prepositions. Some general remarks on semantic change are followed by two case-studies (Gk πρό and μετά).Less
Lectures 22–5 are devoted to the use of prepositions in combination with case-forms. Lecture 22 addresses their placement before or (in anastrophe) after the noun, in a noun phrase, in a string of nouns in coordination,or fixed in old combinations. There follow (Lecture 23) some general remarks on the cases governed by prepositions, with special attention to the genitive in Greek, the ablative in Latin, and the accusative in both. Lecture 24 covers the general tendency towards increased use of prepositional expressions, and, on the other hand, the use of certain case-forms without prepositions. Combinations of preposition + adverb, and the occurrence and ordering of strings of more than one preposition/preverb are treated in Lecture 25. The last lecture in this chapter (Lecture 26) is on the meaning — and change of meaning — of individual prepositions. Some general remarks on semantic change are followed by two case-studies (Gk πρό and μετά).
Sandra Clarke and Andrew Erskine
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780748626168
- eISBN:
- 9780748671519
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Edinburgh University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3366/edinburgh/9780748626168.003.0004
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics
Despite some lexical similarities with the neighbouring Maritime Provinces of Canada, Newfoundland English has a sufficiently distinctive lexicon to have merited its own dictionary. Chapter 4 ...
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Despite some lexical similarities with the neighbouring Maritime Provinces of Canada, Newfoundland English has a sufficiently distinctive lexicon to have merited its own dictionary. Chapter 4 documents and illustrates the main sources of this distinctiveness. These include retention of lexical items that represent archaisms elsewhere; preservation of much West Country English regional vocabulary; lexical borrowing from Irish Gaelic; and borrowing (of place names in particular) from French, as well as from the province’s aboriginal languages (Mi’kmaq, Innu-aimun, Inuktitut). The chapter also discusses neologisms and lexical loss, as well as regional variation. In addition, it outlines the chief processes underlying semantic change in Newfoundland English, much of which involves maritime-related vocabulary. Discourse features covered include terms of address and discourse particles.Less
Despite some lexical similarities with the neighbouring Maritime Provinces of Canada, Newfoundland English has a sufficiently distinctive lexicon to have merited its own dictionary. Chapter 4 documents and illustrates the main sources of this distinctiveness. These include retention of lexical items that represent archaisms elsewhere; preservation of much West Country English regional vocabulary; lexical borrowing from Irish Gaelic; and borrowing (of place names in particular) from French, as well as from the province’s aboriginal languages (Mi’kmaq, Innu-aimun, Inuktitut). The chapter also discusses neologisms and lexical loss, as well as regional variation. In addition, it outlines the chief processes underlying semantic change in Newfoundland English, much of which involves maritime-related vocabulary. Discourse features covered include terms of address and discourse particles.
David Langslow
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- September 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780198153023
- eISBN:
- 9780191715211
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198153023.003.0073
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Prose and Writers: Classical, Early, and Medieval
Lectures 22–5 are devoted to the use of prepositions in combination with case-forms. Lecture 22 addresses their placement before or (in anastrophe) after the noun, in a noun phrase, in a string of ...
More
Lectures 22–5 are devoted to the use of prepositions in combination with case-forms. Lecture 22 addresses their placement before or (in anastrophe) after the noun, in a noun phrase, in a string of nouns in coordination, or fixed in old combinations. There follow (Lecture 23) some general remarks on the cases governed by prepositions, with special attention to the genitive in Greek, the ablative in Latin, and the accusative in both. Lecture 24 covers the general tendency towards increased use of prepositional expressions, and, on the other hand, the use of certain case-forms without prepositions. Combinations of preposition + adverb, and the occurrence and ordering of strings of more than one preposition/preverb are treated in Lecture 25. The last lecture in this chapter (Lecture 26) is on the meaning — and change of meaning — of individual prepositions. Some general remarks on semantic change are followed by two case-studies (Gk πρό and μετά).Less
Lectures 22–5 are devoted to the use of prepositions in combination with case-forms. Lecture 22 addresses their placement before or (in anastrophe) after the noun, in a noun phrase, in a string of nouns in coordination, or fixed in old combinations. There follow (Lecture 23) some general remarks on the cases governed by prepositions, with special attention to the genitive in Greek, the ablative in Latin, and the accusative in both. Lecture 24 covers the general tendency towards increased use of prepositional expressions, and, on the other hand, the use of certain case-forms without prepositions. Combinations of preposition + adverb, and the occurrence and ordering of strings of more than one preposition/preverb are treated in Lecture 25. The last lecture in this chapter (Lecture 26) is on the meaning — and change of meaning — of individual prepositions. Some general remarks on semantic change are followed by two case-studies (Gk πρό and μετά).
N. J. Enfield
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- March 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780198709831
- eISBN:
- 9780191780141
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198709831.003.0002
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Semantics and Pragmatics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics
This chapter introduces basic distinctions in the study of linguistic meaning, including the structure of the sign, the distinction between semantics and pragmatics, the need to distinguish between ...
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This chapter introduces basic distinctions in the study of linguistic meaning, including the structure of the sign, the distinction between semantics and pragmatics, the need to distinguish between senses of the term ‘extension’ in meaning, and the relation between synchronic and diachronic perspectives on linguistic meaning. The concept of polysemy is defined. This term refers to the situation in which a word has more than one meaning, where these two meanings are judged to be related. The chapter looks at some current ideas about polysemy, and offers a critique of certain approaches, including a confusion between linguistics and metalinguistics. Some basic concepts in the theory and description of semantic change are introduced, with special reference to the problem of multiple meanings. The concept of ‘bridging context’ is defined, and discussed with reference to grammaticalization. Some methodological issues are discussed.Less
This chapter introduces basic distinctions in the study of linguistic meaning, including the structure of the sign, the distinction between semantics and pragmatics, the need to distinguish between senses of the term ‘extension’ in meaning, and the relation between synchronic and diachronic perspectives on linguistic meaning. The concept of polysemy is defined. This term refers to the situation in which a word has more than one meaning, where these two meanings are judged to be related. The chapter looks at some current ideas about polysemy, and offers a critique of certain approaches, including a confusion between linguistics and metalinguistics. Some basic concepts in the theory and description of semantic change are introduced, with special reference to the problem of multiple meanings. The concept of ‘bridging context’ is defined, and discussed with reference to grammaticalization. Some methodological issues are discussed.
Vsevolod Kapatsinski
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- September 2019
- ISBN:
- 9780262037860
- eISBN:
- 9780262346313
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262037860.003.0007
- Subject:
- Psychology, Cognitive Psychology
This chapter aims to explain some trends in semantic change with Hebbian learning. Semantic broadening observed in grammaticalization is argued to be seeded by speakers when they select frequent ...
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This chapter aims to explain some trends in semantic change with Hebbian learning. Semantic broadening observed in grammaticalization is argued to be seeded by speakers when they select frequent forms for production over less accessible competitors, even though the meaning they are trying to express is merely similar to the meanings the frequent form was experienced in. Extension of frequent forms in production co-exists with entrenchment (the suspicious coincidence effect) in comprehension. The entrenchment effect in comprehension rules out a habituation account of the semantic change. The form a speaker is most likely to extend to a new meaning in production is often the form they are least likely to map onto that meaning in comprehension. A range of Hebbian models of these processes is developed. All such models are shown to predict the comprehension-production dissociation under default assumptions regarding salience differences between absent and present cues. Certain aspects of the results are shown to be problematic for error-driven models (Rescorla-Wagner), at least if learning rate is fast enough to give rise to their signature blocking effect. Finally, an account of accessibility in an associative framework is developed.Less
This chapter aims to explain some trends in semantic change with Hebbian learning. Semantic broadening observed in grammaticalization is argued to be seeded by speakers when they select frequent forms for production over less accessible competitors, even though the meaning they are trying to express is merely similar to the meanings the frequent form was experienced in. Extension of frequent forms in production co-exists with entrenchment (the suspicious coincidence effect) in comprehension. The entrenchment effect in comprehension rules out a habituation account of the semantic change. The form a speaker is most likely to extend to a new meaning in production is often the form they are least likely to map onto that meaning in comprehension. A range of Hebbian models of these processes is developed. All such models are shown to predict the comprehension-production dissociation under default assumptions regarding salience differences between absent and present cues. Certain aspects of the results are shown to be problematic for error-driven models (Rescorla-Wagner), at least if learning rate is fast enough to give rise to their signature blocking effect. Finally, an account of accessibility in an associative framework is developed.
Uta Reinöhl
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- August 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780198736660
- eISBN:
- 9780191800368
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198736660.003.0009
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology
The conclusion reviews the central findings of this study. First and foremost, it emphasizes that semantic changes are the ones to induce the emergence of phrase structure, as outlined in Chapter 7. ...
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The conclusion reviews the central findings of this study. First and foremost, it emphasizes that semantic changes are the ones to induce the emergence of phrase structure, as outlined in Chapter 7. The various aspects discussed in previous chapters—which had to be clarified before turning to the central transition from group to phrase—are summarized. These aspects are the lack of a connection to the local particles (Chapter 4), the identification of the source constructions (Chapter 5), and explorations regarding the roots of the postpositional syntagmatics (Chapter 6). Above and beyond these explorations into the grammaticalization of individual constructions, insights gained regarding the paradigmatization of the various elements involved into a single functional class, as outlined in Chapter 8 are added. It is concluded that all formal developments can ultimately be traced back to changes in the meaning and usage of the elements and structures studied.Less
The conclusion reviews the central findings of this study. First and foremost, it emphasizes that semantic changes are the ones to induce the emergence of phrase structure, as outlined in Chapter 7. The various aspects discussed in previous chapters—which had to be clarified before turning to the central transition from group to phrase—are summarized. These aspects are the lack of a connection to the local particles (Chapter 4), the identification of the source constructions (Chapter 5), and explorations regarding the roots of the postpositional syntagmatics (Chapter 6). Above and beyond these explorations into the grammaticalization of individual constructions, insights gained regarding the paradigmatization of the various elements involved into a single functional class, as outlined in Chapter 8 are added. It is concluded that all formal developments can ultimately be traced back to changes in the meaning and usage of the elements and structures studied.
Roland Greene
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- September 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780226000633
- eISBN:
- 9780226000770
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226000770.001.0001
- Subject:
- Literature, 16th-century and Renaissance Literature
Blood. Invention. Language. Resistance. World. Five ordinary words that do a great deal of conceptual work in everyday life and literature. This experiment in critical semantics considers how these ...
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Blood. Invention. Language. Resistance. World. Five ordinary words that do a great deal of conceptual work in everyday life and literature. This experiment in critical semantics considers how these five words changed over the course of the sixteenth century and what their changes indicate about broader forces in science, politics, and other disciplines. It discusses a broad swath of Renaissance and transatlantic literature—including Shakespeare, Cervantes, Camões, and Milton—in terms of the development of these words rather than works, careers, or histories. The book creates a method for describing and understanding the semantic changes that occur, extending his argument to other words which operate in the same manner. Aiming to shift the conversation around Renaissance literature from current approaches to riskier enterprises, it also challenges semantic-historicist scholars, proposing a method that takes advantage of digital resources such as full-text databases but still depends on the interpreter to fashion ideas out of ordinary language.Less
Blood. Invention. Language. Resistance. World. Five ordinary words that do a great deal of conceptual work in everyday life and literature. This experiment in critical semantics considers how these five words changed over the course of the sixteenth century and what their changes indicate about broader forces in science, politics, and other disciplines. It discusses a broad swath of Renaissance and transatlantic literature—including Shakespeare, Cervantes, Camões, and Milton—in terms of the development of these words rather than works, careers, or histories. The book creates a method for describing and understanding the semantic changes that occur, extending his argument to other words which operate in the same manner. Aiming to shift the conversation around Renaissance literature from current approaches to riskier enterprises, it also challenges semantic-historicist scholars, proposing a method that takes advantage of digital resources such as full-text databases but still depends on the interpreter to fashion ideas out of ordinary language.
Valérie Saugera
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- May 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780190625542
- eISBN:
- 9780190625573
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190625542.003.0003
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics
The chapter presents a brief history of the contact of French with English, from 18th-century Anglomania to the global English of the turn of the 21st century, in order to contextualize the ...
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The chapter presents a brief history of the contact of French with English, from 18th-century Anglomania to the global English of the turn of the 21st century, in order to contextualize the singularity of the latest contact period. It then chronicles the changes that commonly occur as donor words become new French words. These changes, illustrated with many borrowed items from the period of virtual contact (1990–2015), can be classified as grammatical shift, semantic shift, stylistic shift, and connotative shift. Beyond demonstrating that an English etymon masks heterogeneous types of French Anglicisms, an up-to-date typology shows how English morphemes are used in novel word-formation devices, such as serial bilingual compounds. The borrowing of phrases plays a marginal yet innovative role in French, including emphasis and punning, and raises the issue of typologies for borrowed/neological phrases.Less
The chapter presents a brief history of the contact of French with English, from 18th-century Anglomania to the global English of the turn of the 21st century, in order to contextualize the singularity of the latest contact period. It then chronicles the changes that commonly occur as donor words become new French words. These changes, illustrated with many borrowed items from the period of virtual contact (1990–2015), can be classified as grammatical shift, semantic shift, stylistic shift, and connotative shift. Beyond demonstrating that an English etymon masks heterogeneous types of French Anglicisms, an up-to-date typology shows how English morphemes are used in novel word-formation devices, such as serial bilingual compounds. The borrowing of phrases plays a marginal yet innovative role in French, including emphasis and punning, and raises the issue of typologies for borrowed/neological phrases.
Chiara Gianollo
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- December 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780198812661
- eISBN:
- 9780191850448
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198812661.003.0006
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, Semantics and Pragmatics
This chapter summarizes the main conclusions reached through the investigation of Latin indefinites and of their Romance continuations. In the case studies under analysis, the process of change ...
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This chapter summarizes the main conclusions reached through the investigation of Latin indefinites and of their Romance continuations. In the case studies under analysis, the process of change originates from phenomena taking place already in Late Latin. In particular, developments affecting the syntax of negation in Late Latin play a fundamental role, triggering lexical renewal and functional shifts in the domain of indefinites. It is frequently the case that Romance languages, while sharing significant similarities, differ profoundly from Classical Latin: for the cases discussed here, they ‘differentiate in parallel’ because they inherit from Late Latin the fundamental prerequisites for later changes. The results of this study, thanks to the interplay of theoretical and diachronic linguistics, confirm the systematic nature of change at the syntax–semantic interface.Less
This chapter summarizes the main conclusions reached through the investigation of Latin indefinites and of their Romance continuations. In the case studies under analysis, the process of change originates from phenomena taking place already in Late Latin. In particular, developments affecting the syntax of negation in Late Latin play a fundamental role, triggering lexical renewal and functional shifts in the domain of indefinites. It is frequently the case that Romance languages, while sharing significant similarities, differ profoundly from Classical Latin: for the cases discussed here, they ‘differentiate in parallel’ because they inherit from Late Latin the fundamental prerequisites for later changes. The results of this study, thanks to the interplay of theoretical and diachronic linguistics, confirm the systematic nature of change at the syntax–semantic interface.
Chiara Gianollo
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- December 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780198812661
- eISBN:
- 9780191850448
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198812661.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, Semantics and Pragmatics
This work follows the syntactic and semantic development of some indefinite pronouns and determiners between Latin and Romance. The history of elements of the functional lexicon such as Latin quidam ...
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This work follows the syntactic and semantic development of some indefinite pronouns and determiners between Latin and Romance. The history of elements of the functional lexicon such as Latin quidam ‘a certain’, aliquis ‘some’, nullus ‘no’, nemo ‘no one’, nihil ‘nothing’ allows us to detect which aspects of their meaning and of their form are responsible for the diachronic success of some of them, and for the disappearance of others, and how they are reanalyzed or replaced in the Romance languages. The system of indefinite pronouns and determiners changes profoundly from Latin to Romance, but Romance languages maintain a certain degree of similarity in the way their various systems evolve. We can account for this similarity of outcomes if we consider the changes happening at the intermediate stage of Late Latin. At this stage, the grammar of indefinites already shows a number of changes, which are homogeneously transmitted to the daughter languages, explaining in this way the parallelism among the various emerging Romance systems. The conclusions of this study confirm the fruitfulness of applying methods and models developed within synchronic theoretical linguistics to the study of diachronic phenomena. In turn, they bear witness to the importance of diachronic research for understanding the nature of crosslinguistic variation, and the systematic nature of language change.Less
This work follows the syntactic and semantic development of some indefinite pronouns and determiners between Latin and Romance. The history of elements of the functional lexicon such as Latin quidam ‘a certain’, aliquis ‘some’, nullus ‘no’, nemo ‘no one’, nihil ‘nothing’ allows us to detect which aspects of their meaning and of their form are responsible for the diachronic success of some of them, and for the disappearance of others, and how they are reanalyzed or replaced in the Romance languages. The system of indefinite pronouns and determiners changes profoundly from Latin to Romance, but Romance languages maintain a certain degree of similarity in the way their various systems evolve. We can account for this similarity of outcomes if we consider the changes happening at the intermediate stage of Late Latin. At this stage, the grammar of indefinites already shows a number of changes, which are homogeneously transmitted to the daughter languages, explaining in this way the parallelism among the various emerging Romance systems. The conclusions of this study confirm the fruitfulness of applying methods and models developed within synchronic theoretical linguistics to the study of diachronic phenomena. In turn, they bear witness to the importance of diachronic research for understanding the nature of crosslinguistic variation, and the systematic nature of language change.
