Dialects, registers and intraindividual variation: Outside the scope of generative frameworks?

AbstractThis article explores intraindividual microvariation in dialect syntax. We argue that in many cases the speaker has internalized a different (sub)grammar for each dialectal variety, in line with the hypothesis of universal bilingualism and parallel grammars argued for by Roeper (1999 et seq.). We discuss the question of how we can distinguish parallel grammars from optionality within one grammar, suggesting that the identification of correlating contextual factors might be a promising criterion. However, we also explore a more subtle type of variation, namely cases where a standard variety influences a potentially more vulnerable non-standard variety in a way that makes it exceedingly difficult for the language user and even for a trained linguist to discern what is what. We discuss whether or not these properties should be analysed as properties of another subgrammar (the standard grammar) or as fully integrated (albeit acquired) properties of the non-standard dialect.

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Utterance Construction Grammar (UCxG) and the variable multimodality of constructions

Linguistics Vanguard ◽

10.1515/lingvan-2016-0048 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 3 (s1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Alan Cienki

Keyword(s):

Surface Structure ◽

Contextual Factors ◽

Spoken Language ◽

Construction Grammar ◽

Language Usage ◽

Language User ◽

Multimodal Problems ◽

Attentional Mechanism

AbstractSome proponents of the theory of Construction Grammar have been investigating how it might address the nature of spoken language usage as multimodal. Problems confronted in this endeavour include the variability with which gesture is used with speech in terms of its (in)frequency and its (non) obligatoriness: for some expressions a certain kind of gesture is basically obligatory, but for most others it is a variably optional component depending on contextual factors. This article proposes “utterance” as a level of description above that of speech and gesture for characterizing audio-visual communicative constructions. It picks up on earlier proposals to consider constructions as prototype categories with more central and more peripheral features. The language community’s knowledge of a given utterance construction and that of any language user are discussed as “deep structures” (in a non-Chomskian sense) that provide a set of options (some more central and others more peripheral) for expression, whereby any “surface structure” is a metonymic precipitation in context of the construction’s features. An important attentional mechanism proposed that guides production and comprehension (“uptake”) of utterance constructions is the dynamic scope of relevant behaviors. Taken together, this approach may help bring Construction Grammar closer to being a truly usage-based theory.

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FR-IR Molecular Microanalysis System

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100134958 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 270-271

Author(s):

John A. Reffner ◽

William T. Wihlborg

Keyword(s):

Fourier Transform ◽

Fourier Transform Infrared ◽

Integrated System ◽

Morphological Examination ◽

Fully Integrated ◽

Ir Microscopy ◽

Normal Functions ◽

Infrared Microspectroscopy ◽

Infrared Spectral ◽

Ft Ir

The IRμs™ is the first fully integrated system for Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) microscopy. FT-IR microscopy combines light microscopy for morphological examination with infrared spectroscopy for chemical identification of microscopic samples or domains. Because the IRμs system is a new tool for molecular microanalysis, its optical, mechanical and system design are described to illustrate the state of development of molecular microanalysis. Applications of infrared microspectroscopy are reviewed by Messerschmidt and Harthcock.Infrared spectral analysis of microscopic samples is not a new idea, it dates back to 1949, with the first commercial instrument being offered by Perkin-Elmer Co. Inc. in 1953. These early efforts showed promise but failed the test of practically. It was not until the advances in computer science were applied did infrared microspectroscopy emerge as a useful technique. Microscopes designed as accessories for Fourier transform infrared spectrometers have been commercially available since 1983. These accessory microscopes provide the best means for analytical spectroscopists to analyze microscopic samples, while not interfering with the FT-IR spectrometer’s normal functions.

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