Influence of relational and referential coherence on the distribution of coordinated verb-second clauses in German and Dutch

2012 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 35-64
Author(s):  
Geert Stuyckens

This paper investigates, from the point of view of role and reference grammar, the formal and the functional side of SLF (‘subject gap in finite/frontal clauses’) coordination on the basis of a bidirectional parallel German-Dutch corpus. The main research question is how relational and referential coherence are mapped to the syntactic structure of SLF and coordination constructions alternating with it. A typology of the alternative constructions is proposed. Since both relational and referential coherence at the discourse level, as well as the nexus types at the syntax level, are composed of more or less prominent states of affairs, the paper defines a relative concept of prominence on both these grammar levels and examines whether and, if so, how this concept influences the mapping between discursive and syntactic structure. In particular, it looks at absolute and relative frequencies so as to find potential trends in this mapping. There is a tendency that the more prominent the discursive states of affairs are, the more syntactically prominent the chosen coordination alternative is. The states of affairs linked by the interclausal coherence relation seem to affect the distribution of the coordination alternatives both in German and in Dutch. The state of affairs expressed by the information-structural status of the first subject seems to affect at least the distribution of two types. To a certain extent, both German and Dutch strive to iconically map discursive to syntactic prominence.

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Paoloni ◽  
Giuseppe Modaffari

The aim of the paper is to provide an overview of the current literature of this business phenomenon with regard to gender studies and to point out what is substantially happening and what has happened in the Italian economic context. The main research questions were RQ1: How is the phenomenon of female Startups treated from a scientific point of view? RQ2: Which is the Italian situation of this phenomenon? The methodology used is both qualitative and explorative. A bidirectional analysis has been carried out for this purpose. In order to expand the first research question (RQ1), an analysis was carried out of the articles in the EBSCO database on the topic of female startups. In order to expand the second question (RQ2), an analysis was carried out on the data concerning the phenomenon of female startups, using the register of companies held at the Chambers of Commerce which were territorially competent. Our research, carried out within the Italian economic context, demonstrates how the phenomenon of Woman Startups (WSU), even if it is widely expanding, is inherent in all the typical elements of female entrepreneurship, as reported in the literature by gender scholars. The main factors that emerge for the WSU are the small size and the undercapitalization in the startup phase. This work contributes to the expansion of studies on the topic of startups in the context of gender and can be useful to the social context, new entrepreneurs, and practitioners of the sector.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 261-287
Author(s):  
M.Teresa Espinal ◽  
Susagna Tubau

This article critically reviews the main research issues raised in the study of response systems in natural languages by addressing the syntax and semantics of fragment answers and yes/no response particles. Fragment answers include replies that do not have a sentential form, whereas response particles consist solely of an affirmative or a negative adverb. While the main research question in the syntax of fragments and response particles has been whether these contain more syntactic structure than what is actually pronounced, the key issues in the study of their semantics are question–answer congruence, the anaphoric potential of response particles, and the meaning of fragments in relation to positive and negative questions. In connection to these issues, this review suggests some interesting avenues for further research: ( a) providing an analysis of particles other than yes/no, ( b) choosing between echoic versus nonechoic forms as answers to polar questions, and ( c) deciding whether some non-lexically-based or nonverbal responses are systematically used in combination with polar particles to express (dis)agreement.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-134
Author(s):  
Vít Dovalil

Abstract This paper deals with a morphosyntactic variable of German verb clusters containing a full verb and an infinitive perfect of the verb lassen or of modal verbs (gelassen haben, gekonnt haben). The corpus-based analysis draws upon the concept of center and periphery as it was developed by the Prague School. The main research question underpinning the synchronic analysis concentrates on the use of the IPP (infinitivus pro participio equivalent to the German term Ersatzinfinitiv) and the word order of the auxiliary verb within the cluster. In total, there is empirical evidence for four variants in which this variable is realized. Two of them fully correspond to the system of German infinitive constructions (full verb + gelassen/gekonnt haben, or haben + full verb + IPP lassen/können). However, these systemic constructions are used (much) less frequently in contemporary written German than the other two constructions (past participle of full verb + haben + lassen/können, or full verb + haben lassen/können). Whereas the former ones can be counted to the center of the German infinitive system from the structural point of view, the latter ones are classified as peripheral, because they are not derivable from the rules of this system. In spite of that, the paper explores one of identifiable epicenters within the periphery of the system, arguing with the highest frequency and further regularities of the third type of the construction (past particple of full verb + haben + lassen/können). The structural analysis takes the functional equivalency of subordinate clauses and the corresponding infinitive constructions into consideration. This contributes to better clarification of both morphology and word order of the elements creating the analyzed verb clusters.


Author(s):  
Anastasiia S. Chernousova ◽  

The article describes the results of a pilot sociolinguistic experiment the purpose of which was to study the ideas of modern youth about the language norm and speech culture. The main research question was how this social group assesses linguistic innovations / transformations and other facts of modern Russian speech. The research material was collected by means of a survey in which 80 informants took part. The task was to identify and analyze opinions on the concept of ‘speech culture’ and its features, ‘degradation’ / ‘non-degradation’ of the language, as well as the influence of the popular Russian TV series Real’nye patsany (Real Guys) on the creation of the image of Perm residents. The research results reveal the problems of speech culture essential from the point of view of young speakers, the most striking of which are the insufficient purity of speech, unjustified borrowing, and spelling mistakes. The presence of diametrically opposite ideas of the currently occurring processes (from the recognition of innovations to the idea of complete degradation) indicates that informants recognize the process of constant development of the language, which is, on the one hand, naturally-determined and, on the other, beyond the control of native speakers. The informants distinguish between the norm of the literary language and the norms of other language variants (for example, local variants of literary colloquial speech, various types of jargon), determine for each of the idioms their own sphere of functioning, socio-cultural environment, circle of speakers and, accordingly, their own evaluative characteristics of language variants, which do not always coincide with others.


2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  

In recent years, Russian President Vladimir Putin increasingly places a high premium on re-building Russia’s global influence, which includes a boosting of Russia’s relations with the African continent. This coincides with Putin’s position that the strengthening of ties with African states is a Russian foreign policy priority. Moreover, there is little doubt that much of Moscow’s new involvement in Africa relates to Putin’s desire to revive his country’s great-power status. The main research question is: What is behind Moscow’s renewed push into the continent? Three areas of Russia-Africa relations of special importance are suggested in this article. Firstly, much of Russia’s focus on the African continent centres on energy diplomacy. Secondly, Russia is the second largest exporter of arms globally after the United States, and Moscow is a major supplier of weapons and military aid to Africa. Thirdly, the continent is rich in mineral wealth, and Moscow has an economic interest in mineral riches in Africa. This article argues the above-mentioned issues are the main drivers underlying Russia’s renewed strategic engagement with the African continent. The article further reflects on whether Russia’s foreign policy successes in Africa have been overblown, or whether Russia’s renewed engagement with Africa is actually of considerable significance in the global context and from an African point of view.


Agriculture ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciano Pilotti

Sustainable production besides economic, energetic, and environmental aspects should consider social and cultural features of the territory in which it relies. This occurs above all for agriculture that is intrinsically related to the territory. Today, the territory as a landscape represents a complex eco-system (subjects, communities, traditions, cultures, and specific agricultural systems) and a valuable vehicle for art and history and it is also a strategic asset to defend and promote with environmental policies. The topic of urban preservation and regeneration has been increasing by opening up to other factors such as the engagement of local communities and the contribution they can give toward the development of the identity and the symbolic universe of every community especially for historic territories. The main research question of this study is: Can historic territories be described as the landscape of a complex eco-system able to support a new cultural policy? In addition, which type of connections between physical resources and the virtual-cultural ones of that landscape are strategic assets for promoting historic territories? This theoretical manuscript is oriented toward improving territorial policies. In more details, it tries to develop a new model to reach a “global community of creativity” as a bridge between the networks of historic territories, which is meant as roots of variety to transfer to future generations, and between local and global quality in an emergent landscape. In order to reach this new model, the local community and ecosystem capabilities require a multi-level connection among both art, science, and culture as well as nature, technology, and civic capability. The result is that the new model is able to share common goods, which are both internal and external. Following this path, it is urgent to develop policies in an emergent perspective that are able to combine artistic, ecological, environmental, and cultural assets. In particular, the goals are to: (i) explore the complex value of territorial contexts that develop/evolve from both a medium-term and long-term point of view that is not described by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) standard indicators, (ii) reach the suggestion of a continuous re-articulation of sectors of knowledge proposed by cultural resources, and (iii) highlight that cultural marketing is involved in the interpretation and transmission within a large network of participants, users, institutions, markets, virtual, and territorial places. The starting point is identified as the landscape of historic territory, but an important achievement will be to transfer the main results to other territories by studying specific case histories of urban and non-urban landscapes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stojković Dragan ◽  
Manić Emilija ◽  
Bogetić Zoran ◽  
Dokić Aleksa

Abstract Are there significant regional differences in regional retail development in Serbia? This was the main research question at the beginning of writing this paper. The main goal of this paper was to analyse regional differences in retail development based on existing statistical data. The idea was to point out regions with underdeveloped retailing and the one with endangered retail competition. Thorough desk research has been performed. It included both literature review and data collection from available official sources. Existing retail data have been analysed. However, the lack of data at lower levels of aggregation (regional and local) prevents the authors from getting strong conclusions. In addition, the lack of data also altered the main research question, which has now become adequacy of data in the retail sector and potential solutions for that problem. The noted lack of crucial data and solutions for solving this problem were the main purpose of this paper. The main finding is that decision makers in Serbia do not have adequate information about retail network. This is a problem because it is very hard to prove anticompetitive actions or to plan (stimulate) retail development without relevant data from both government and business point of view. Retail census would help getting key indicators about development of retailing in certain regions and municipalities. However, the solution needs to be sustainable. Therefore, some legislative requirements should provide information for census update.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 20-33
Author(s):  
Andrzej Magruk ◽  

The main purpose of this publication is an attempt to treat phenomenon of uncertainty as the one of main research facility in future studies and not as the background for future research — by answering the following research question: “What is the methodical relation among the scope of the uncertainty phenomenon vs. levels of knowledge and types of the future in the foresight approach?”. The study uses the results of the analysis and criticism of the literature as the main research method. On this basis were performed deductive reasoning. Proposed by the author of the paper types of future and scope of uncertainty allowed to define the author’s scale of knowledge levels. This paper has attempted to draw together three methodological fields: uncertainty, foresight, and knowledge. Author analysed complex relations among above areas on the basis of their characteristic which are author’s extensions of existing concepts available in the literature. In the author’s opinion conclusions from the results presented in the article can be a valuable contribution to the development of the area of management in the area of future management. In management of complex systems (such as Industry 4.0), from the foresight methodological point of view, it seems relevant to determine which specific uncertainties can be managed by which classes of foresight methods, and which foresight methods by what level of knowledge, will be appropriate for the analysis of a specific types of future. According to the author, the results of research presented in the publication may be used in creating research methodology of technological foresight projects and as a complementary element of research devoted to the issues of development of modern technologies, which include Industry 4.0.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 131
Author(s):  
Ana Elvira Ojanguren López

<p>This article aims at proposing a lexical representation for a set of English verbs of action. The analysis is carried out on the grounds of Role and Reference Grammar (RRG) and includes aspects like <em>Aktionsart </em>type, macrorole and syntactic function assignment, linking, as well as nexus and juncture. Against this background, the meaning components of the verbs in question are analysed, in such a way that a logical structure based on a lexical representation is defined for each verbal class. Conclusions fall on both the descriptive and the theoretical side. From the descriptive point of view, <em>Fail </em>and <em>Try </em>verbs constitute a unified verbal class as regards their meaning components and grammatical behaviour and, thus, they are represented by means of a unified logical structure. Conversely, <em>Prevent </em>verbs and <em>Forbid </em>verbs require different logical structures that account for their divergent grammatical behaviour, corresponding to the Causative Activity and Causative Achievement <em>Aktionsart </em>types respectively. On the theoretical side, the logical structures of <em>End </em>verbs, <em>Fail </em>verbs, <em>Try </em>verbs and <em>Prevent </em>verbs stick to the canonical representations of RRG, while those of <em>Hinder </em>verbs and <em>Refrain </em>verbs require complex predicates and complex logical structures which allow to incorporate extra meaning components and to combine different <em>Aktionsart </em>types.</p>


Author(s):  
Vera Yakubson ◽  
Victor Zakharov

This paper deals with the specialized corpora building, specifically academic language corpus in the biotechnology field. Being a part of larger research devoted to creation and usage of specialized parallel corpus, this piece aims to analyze the initial step of corpus building. Our main research question was what procedures we need to implement to the texts before using them to develop the corpus. Analysis of previous research showed the significant quantity of papers devoted to corpora creation, including academic specialized corpora. Different sides of the process were analyzed in these researches, including the types of texts used, the principles of crawling, the recommended length of texts etc. As to the text processing for the needs of corpora creation, only the linguistic annotation issues were examined earlier. At the same time, the preliminary cleaning of texts before their usage in corpora may have significant influence on the corpus quality and its utility for the linguistic research. In this paper, we considered three small corpora derived from the same set of academic texts in the biotechnology field: “raw” corpus without any preliminary cleaning and two corpora with different level of cleaning. Using different Sketch Engine tools, we analyzed these corpora from the position of their future users, predominantly as sources for academic wordlists and specialized multi-word units. The conducted research showed very little difference between two cleaned corpora, meaning that only basic cleaning procedures such as removal of reference lists are can be useful in corpora design. At the same time, we found a significant difference between raw and cleaned corpora and argue that this difference can affect the quality of wordlists and multi-word terms extraction, therefore these cleaning procedures are meaningful. The main limitation of the study is that all texts were taken from the unique source, so the conclusions could be affected by this specific journal’s peculiarities. Therefore, the future work should be the verification of results on different text collections


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