Theoretical Approaches to the Functions of Indefinite Pronouns

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Haspelmath
Keyword(s):  
Semantic Features ◽  
Semantic Change ◽  
Intrinsic Properties ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Mental Spaces ◽  
Logical Semantics ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Indefinite Pronouns

This chapter focuses on various theoretical approaches to the semantic and syntactic functions of indefinite pronouns. It begins with a discussion of structuralist semantics, which suggests that language is a system whose parts must be defined and described on the basis of their place in the system and their relation to each other, rather than on the basis of their own intrinsic properties. It then considers some of the problems associated with structuralist semantics, including the unclear status of the semantic features; significant overlap of the functions of grammatical items in many areas, including indefinite pronouns; and structuralist semantics makes wrong predictions about semantic change. The chapter proceeds by analysing logical semantics and the issues raised by this approach, along with syntactic approaches, the theory of mental spaces, pragmatic scales and scale reversal. Finally, it explains the relationship between focusing and sentence accent.

scholarly journals Topicality and differential object marking

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giorgio Iemmolo
Keyword(s):  
Information Structure ◽  
Comparative Data ◽  
Romance Languages ◽  
Semantic Features ◽  
Personal Pronouns ◽  
Differential Object Marking ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Left Dislocation ◽  
Object Marking ◽  
The Relationship

The present paper investigates the relationship between dislocation and differential object marking in some Romance languages. As in many languages that have a DOM system, it is usually also assumed that in Romance languages the phenomenon is regulated by the semantic features of the referents, such as animacy, definiteness, and specificity. In the languages under investigation, though, these features cannot explain the distribution and the emergence of DOM. After discussing the main theoretical approaches to the phenomenon, I will analyse DOM in four Romance languages. I will argue that DOM emerges in pragmatically and semantically marked contexts, namely with personal pronouns in dislocations. I will then show that in these languages the use of the DOM system is mainly motivated by the need to signal the markedness of these direct objects as a consequence of being used in (mainly left) dislocation as topics (cf. English “As for him, we didn’t see him”). Finally, the examination of comparative data from Persian and Amazonian languages lends further support to the advocated approach in terms of information structure

Overview

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Haspelmath
Keyword(s):  
Functional Variation ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Typological Approach ◽  
The Cross ◽  
Syntactic Properties ◽  
Indefinite Pronouns

This book examines the connections between the formal and functional (semantic and syntactic) properties of indefinite pronouns. It considers the main theoretical debates surrounding the semantic and syntactic properties of indefinite pronouns as well as the diachronic sources of the markers of indefinite pronouns. It describes the new generalizations that emerge from the typological and diachronic research and provides explanations. It also outlines the goals and methods of the typological approach, focusing on the important preconditions for typology such as the availability of data from a variety of languages. Other topics covered by the book include the space of formal and functional variation found in indefinite pronouns, implicational universals, theoretical approaches to the functions of indefinite pronouns such as the tradition of structuralist semantics, the grammaticalization of indefinite pronouns, further sources of indefinite pronouns that cannot be easily subsumed under grammaticalization, and the cross-linguistic patterning of negative indefinite pronouns.

Solving Syllogisms as Abstract Pattern Recognition and Completion, Based on Linguistic Cues for Logical Semantic Features

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Faiciuc
Keyword(s):  
Order Effects ◽  
Semantic Features ◽  
Verbal Expression ◽  
Frequent Contact ◽  
Linguistic Cues ◽  
Completion Process ◽  
Within Subjects ◽  
Format Effects ◽  
Logical Semantics ◽  
Logical Semantic

The presented empirical research is based on a new model for the categorical syllogisms, described and partially tested elsewhere. This model assumes that deriving a conclusion involves a pattern completion process, similar to the completion of perceptual patterns. Specifically, inferring a conclusion would require the generation of the missing part of an abstract pattern of logical semantic features. This pattern is named schema, because it is organized around a particular argumentative goal. Such a schema emerges through the frequent contact with a corresponding class of argumentative experiences. As, presumably, the usual pragmatic argumentative contexts imply predominantly valid syllogisms, pragmatic syllogistic schemas would emerge mainly for them. These pragmatic schemas for the valid syllogisms are supposed to be based on a particular mixed semantics of their syllogistic judgments, including both intensional (class-property) and extensional (subclass-class) relationships. The recognition of these schemas can be influenced by the linguistic cues of the verbal expression of the syllogisms. To test this particular prediction, the linguistic format of a set of 24 abstract categorical syllogisms (12 valid, 12 invalid) was varied. The linguistic cues of the L format task would favor the recognition of the logical features of the assumed syllogistic schemas with a mixed logical semantics of the valid syllogisms. The N format task, with no explicit linguistic cues for those logical features, would hinder the recognition of the above-mentioned schemas for the valid syllogisms. The administration order of the two tasks was also varied. The study included 192 university students. The data supported considerably the expected format effects on the correctness of the chosen answers for the valid syllogisms (with higher performances for the L format) in the relevant between-subjects and within-subjects comparisons, and some of the predicted order effects. Mental models theory cannot explain the obtained results.

PERSONALITIES OF PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS DYNAMIC FEATURES OF SELF-EFFICIENCY

2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 170-177
Author(s):  
N. A. Kudusheva ◽  
◽  
I. K. Amanova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Psychology Students ◽  
Dynamic Features ◽  
Actual Problem ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
The University ◽  
Multicomponent Nature ◽  
Independent Work ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Linear Nature

The article deals with the problem of the dynamics of personal self-efficacy of psychology students during their studies at the University. Theoretical approaches to understanding the term "self-efficacy" and its relation to related concepts related to psychological confidence and personal potential are analyzed.The actual problem of personal self-efficacy of psychology students is discussed.The results of an empirical study of the dynamic characteristics of self-efficacy of a sample of 80 students are presented, and statistical indicators of subject self-efficacy and development of self-efficacy in communication, their relationship with the motivation for choosing a profession and the level of self-attitude are determined.Dynamism, integrity and multicomponent nature of self-efficacy; non-linear nature of its development at different stages of training; the relationship between the level of self-efficacy development and the experience of independent work.

Architecture and Blocking

2008 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Embick ◽  
Alec Marantz
Keyword(s):  
Distributed Morphology ◽  
Semantic Features ◽  
Word Level ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Blocking Effects ◽  
Architectural Significance

We discuss theoretical approaches to blocking effects, with particular emphasis on cases in which words appear to block phrases (and perhaps vice versa). These approaches share at least one intuition: that syntactic and semantic features create possible “cells” or slots in which particular items can appear, and that blocking occurs when one such cell is occupied by one form as opposed to another. Accounts of blocking differ along two primary dimensions: the size of the objects that compete with one another (morphemes, words, phrases, sentences); and whether or not ungrammatical forms are taken into consideration in determining the correct output (relatedly, whether otherwise well-formed objects are marked ungrammatical by competition). We argue that blocking in the sense of competition for the expression of syntactic or semantic features is limited to insertion of the phonological exponents of such features (the Vocabulary items of Distributed Morphology) at terminal nodes from the syntax. There is thus no blocking at the word level or above, and no competition between grammatical and ungrammatical structures. The architectural significance of these points is emphasized throughout the discussion.

scholarly journals Lo smarrimento come inizio in alcuni testi di Giuseppe Culicchia

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 81-93
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Puto
Keyword(s):  
Present Article ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Cultural Anthropology ◽  
Human Mind ◽  
Space And Place ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Getting Lost ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The City ◽  
Dimensions Of Space

The aim of the present article is to analyze the relationship between the city and the protagonists of Giuseppe Culicchia’s texts. The methodological perspective is that of cultural anthropology, in particular the concept of mente locale, discussed by Franco La Cecla. Mente locale, as a relationship between space and human mind, is vital in the act of getting lost in space (perdersi), which leads to getting to know it (orientarsi) and finally initiating the profound relationship based on emotivity. Culicchia’s texts are set in Turin, and the study points out the different ways of perception of the city. The analyzed texts represents the gradual acquisition of knowledge about the city that corresponds to the theoretical thesis that is how the anthropology of space and place illustrates the conceptual and material dimensions of space which is central to the production of social life, bringing classics of cultural anthropology together with new theoretical approaches.

scholarly journals The (Immediate) Post-World War II Period

2020 ◽  
pp. 168-189
Author(s):  
Antonello Tancredi
Keyword(s):  
World War Ii ◽  
International Law ◽  
Interwar Period ◽  
World War ◽  
Post World War Ii ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
The Social ◽  
International Legal Order ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Domestic Law

This chapter addresses the development, after World War II, of two different currents of thought inherited by the Italian international law doctrine from the interwar period: dogmatism and structuralism. The analysis of some fundamental writings concerning topics such as the foundation and the social structure of the international legal order tries to offer a reading lens on some of the most important scientific trends (especially ‘realism’ and ‘neo-normativism’) of the post-World War II period and on the scholars that animated such approaches. Thanks to the identification of some structuring ideas, it will then be possible to briefly examine other issues concerning, for instance, the relationship between international and domestic law after the 1948 Republican Constitution, sovereignty, etc. The evolution of the methodology of international law will have a relevant part in the analysis of theoretical approaches developed by Italian scholars in this period.

scholarly journals On the Integrated Descriptions of Metaphorical Sememes of Verbs

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-72
Author(s):  
Yuhai Peng
Keyword(s):  
Semantic Interpretation ◽  
Semantic Features ◽  
Semantic Change ◽  
Cognitive Metaphor ◽  
Analysis Pattern ◽  
Verbal Metaphor ◽  
Syntactic Semantics ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
Analysis System ◽  
Formal Feature

Cognitive metaphor is an important way and mechanism of semantic derivation of verbs, the resulting large number of verbal metaphorical sememes has different expressions in their semantic features, formal syntax, communicative structure and even modality and pragmatics. This paper thoroughly and carefully discusses the problem of semantic change of verbal metaphor in terms of the integrated description method of the Moscow Semantic School. Thus, we will create a unique and innovative framework and theoretical model of generalized formal feature analysis, we will also try to introduce formal semantic description and micro-level semantic interpretation into the analysis system of semantic change of the verbal metaphor. Furthermore, we will describe in detail and characterize a number of changes caused by metaphorical semantic change of Russian verbs from the perspective of multi-dimensional integration. This study breaks down the barriers between semantics, cognition, pragmatics and grammar and the traditional analysis pattern of semantic derivation which contributes to significant broadening of the theoretical semantic vision and deepening of the research of cognitive semantics problems of verbal metaphor. It also helps explore innovative analytical methods and strategies for the study of Russian lexical and syntactic semantics.

Hacia una conclusión

2020 ◽  
pp. 322-330
Author(s):  
Allison Margaret Bigelow
Keyword(s):  
Research Ethics ◽  
Indigenous Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Colonial Archives ◽  
History Of ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Historical Silences ◽  
The Relationship

This chapter reviews the major methodological and theoretical approaches used in Mining Language, at once concluding the book and gesturing toward future research directions in the fields of history of colonial science and technology and Indigenous Studies. Specifically, it reflects on the relationship between history and literary studies within these intersecting fields. By reflecting on what colonial archives say and do not say, the conclusion argues for the importance of research ethics and methods that confront, acknowledge, and respond to historical silences.

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