The nominal group, possessive agreement, and nominal sentences in the Transeurasian languages

2020 ◽  
pp. 587-603
Author(s):  
Irina Nevskaya ◽  
Lina Amal
Keyword(s):  
Nominal Group ◽  
Syntactic Features ◽  
Possessive Constructions ◽  
Demonstrative Pronouns ◽  
Nominal Groups ◽  
Semantic Types ◽  
Accusative Constructions ◽  
Semantic Properties

This chapter deals with some of the most salient syntactic features of nominal groups and nominal sentences in Transeurasian languages; e.g. agreement in person and number between the heads and the modifiers expressed by adjectives, numerals, and demonstrative pronouns within nominal groups; formal and semantic properties of the “possessive noun + noun” adnominal possession construction; the morphology and syntax of reflexive possessive constructions. Special attention is paid to the inalienable/alienable possession split, observed in the existence of specialized possessive morphology, or of the double nominative and double accusative constructions of “external possession” in individual Transeurasian subbranches or languages. The chapter also describes the main types of Transeurasian nominal sentences, correlation of their formal and semantic types, and agreement between their subjects and predicates.

scholarly journals Syntactic ambiguity of (complex) nominal groups in technical English

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-102
Author(s):  
Mirjana Borucinsky ◽  
Jana Kegalj
Keyword(s):  
English For Specific Purposes ◽  
Steam Engine ◽  
Nominal Group ◽  
Syntactic Ambiguity ◽  
Engineering Process ◽  
Reciprocating Engine ◽  
Nominal Groups ◽  
Specific Meaning ◽  
Lexical Density ◽  
Marine Engineering

Complex nominal groups are common in technical English (i.e. English for Specific Purposes, ESP) as they allow lexical items to be tightly packed into a clause. This leads to increased lexical density and syntactic ambiguity. In this paper we analyze (complex) nominal groups in technical English, assuming that it is not only the context and extralinguistic knowledge (i.e. shared technical background that the ESP teacher does not necessarily possess) that help solve the syntactic ambiguity, but that the structure of the nominal group, or more precisely the position of modifiers within the group can help disambiguate the meaning. Thus, modifiers standing farthest from the head have the least specifying potential and are followed by those which restrict the meaning of the entire nominal group. In the example steam reciprocating engine (vs.*reciprocating steam engine) the participle reciprocating has a more specific meaning and is thus closer to the head of the nominal group. The results show how the type of modification (linear or non-linear) can help disambiguate complex nominal groups. The main contribution of the paper is to help the ESP teacher, who is not a specialist in the field of (marine) engineering, process, understand and successfully teach complex nominal groups.

scholarly journals Subject-Verb Agreement with Coordinated Subjects in Ancient Greek

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Mambrini ◽  
Marco Passarotti
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Morphological Feature ◽  
Cognitive Factors ◽  
Ancient Greek ◽  
Amount Of Information ◽  
Verb Agreement ◽  
Syntactic Features ◽  
Special Domain ◽  
Semantic Properties ◽  
Descriptive Level

In Ancient Greek, as well as in other languages, whenever agreement is triggered by two or more coordinated phrases, two different constructions are allowed: either the agreement can be controlled by the coordinated phrase as a whole, or it can be triggered by just one of the coordinated words. In spite of the amount of information that can be read on this topic in grammars of Ancient Greek, much is still to be known even at a general descriptive level. More importantly, the data still lack a convincing explanation. In this paper, we focus on a special domain of agreement (subject and verb agreement) and on one morphological feature that is expected to covary (number). We discuss the agreement in number for conjoined phrases, by revising some of the modern hypotheses with the support of the empirical evidence that can be collected from the available syntactically annotated corpora of Ancient Greek (treebanks). Results are interpreted according to syntactic features, cognitive factors and semantic properties of the coordinated phrases.

Méthode D'analyse des Connecteurs du Français en Vue D'un Traitement Automatique

1996 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 365-380
Author(s):  
Renata Kozlowska-Heuchin
Keyword(s):  
Automatic Processing ◽  
Semantic Features ◽  
Complex Sentence ◽  
Simple Sentence ◽  
Semantic Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Semantic Types ◽  
Semantic Typology ◽  
Semantic Properties

The subject of this article is the analysis of clauses of aim, cause, consequence and condition in French in view to the automatic processing. Our theoretical framework is that of lexicon-grammar. This study differs from the usual grammatical analyses. Here, the complex sentence is studied on the model of the simple sentence, defined as an operator accompanied by its arguments. The conjunctive phrase is our starting point for this study, and it is then shown that the noun around which it is formed, is of predicative type and has the main clause and the subordinate as arguments. This is a predicate «of second order». Automatic processing requires extremely accurate notation of syntactic and semantic properties if ambiguity and polysemy are to be correctly handled. Those descriptions based on syntactico-semantic features are insufficient, which is why the concept of « class of objects » is brought in. There are as many types of relations as there are semantic types of predicate. This is the reason why a semantic typology of predicates is sketched out, integrating lexical, syntactic and semantic components. It is shown that each semantic type can have its own appropriate lexical means of expression and specific syntactic behaviour.

scholarly journals The syntactic structure of the initial and final sentences

2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 65-72
Author(s):  
M.K. Zhunusova ◽  
◽  
A.Zh. Sayazhanova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Syntactic Structure ◽  
Historical Period ◽  
Complex Sentences ◽  
Syntactic Features ◽  
Nominal Structure ◽  
Complex Forms ◽  
Rhetorical Questions ◽  
Semantic Properties ◽  
Single Part

The article analyzes the key role of syntactic features in the composition of the text. It was determined that the first and last sentences of the text are syntactically diverse. Sentence words, simple, introductory, and complex sentences perform communicative, expressive, and stylistic functions in the text. The semantic and compressed structures, modality, expressiveness, and stylistic skills that are based on various structures of these sentences were studied to reveal the clarity and comprehensibility of the idea of sentences. It is emphasized that with the help of syntactic laws, by means of one-or two-part sentences that convey the idea of the text, the features of the character are briefly and concisely revealed. The features of the formation of various initial sentences are defined. The syntactic structure of initial and final sentences is different: simple, ambiguous, complete, incomplete, positive, negative. All types of single-part components are nominal, vocative, and non-articulate sentences. However, such sentences are not complex, they are mostly simple short sentences. Semantic and syntactic characteristics of initial and final sentences are described in their idiomatic, narrative, interrogative, and complex forms. It was determined by the semantic properties of rhetorical questions in the initial proposals. It should be noted that the nominal structure of the initial sentences of the text is used not only for ease of description but also for emotionality as if it is related to certain aspects of the plot or the general content of the story and affects the reader's feelings. It is believed that the authors in the initial sentences not only indicate the time or place of the event, but also describe human behavior in relation to the environment and nature, and thus allow the reader to predict the end of the story. It was ascertained that the initial and final sentences, depending on the historical period, can be used in both positive and negative meanings.

scholarly journals A Functional Study of zhi 之 in the Chinese Nominal Group

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 173
Author(s):  
Weiwei Zhang ◽  
Manliang Li
Keyword(s):  
Chinese Character ◽  
Systemic Functional Linguistics ◽  
Chinese Language ◽  
Nominal Group ◽  
Functional Study ◽  
Grammatical Structure ◽  
Contrastive Study ◽  
The Past ◽  
Nominal Groups ◽  
Shed Light

Over the past decades, subjects concerned with the Chinese character “zhi之”, i.e. grammatical structure, in ancient Chinese language, have been widely explored. This paper conducts a research from a new dimension: the Cardiff Grammar, an integral part of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) which is famous for its “problem-oriented theory”. In order to shed light on the semantics and syntactic functions of “zhi之” in the Chinese nominal group, this study examines five distinctive nominal groups involving “zhi之” with elaborate tree diagrams which are presented in each of the following sections. Through the contrastive study, we find that the Chinese character “zhi之” has some various functions in different situations: as genitive element (g), as modifier trigger (mtr), as selector (v), as qualifier introducer (qint) and as deictic determiner (dd).

A NEW MODEL OF THE LEARNING PROCESS FOR INNOVATION TEAMS: NETWORKED NOMINAL PAIRS

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (04) ◽  
pp. 521-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROBERT DEW ◽  
GREG HEARN
Keyword(s):  
Group Structure ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Structural Type ◽  
Nominal Group ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Business Managers ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Nominal Groups ◽  
Innovation Teams ◽  
Group Structures

This paper examines how to structure resource-constrained innovation teams in order to maximise learning and creativity within organisations. Past research suggest that nominal groups (based on independent operations by individuals) outperform interactive groups. The results of this study suggest hybrid group structures based on independent operating pairs can be as effective as nominal groups. The study segmented 672 business managers and university post-graduate students into nominal, hybrid and interactive groups of six members. Three groups (one of each structural type) were pitted against each other to solve 4 related puzzles as quickly as possible. The results of these 28 problem-solving task races were aggregated to determine which group structure was most productive. Overall, the results confirmed that nominal groups of six significantly outperform interactive groups of the same size. More importantly, however, the results showed no significant difference between the productivity of nominal groups of six and hybrid groups comprised of three interactive pairs, where each pair operated separately to complete the same puzzle in parallel with the rest of the group. This suggests that structuring innovation teams into networked, nominal pairs may be just as productive as purely nominal group structures. This significantly extends the existing research on nominal groups versus interactive groups as it suggests that completely eliminating interactivity is not the optimal management approach.

scholarly journals Relational clauses in English technical discourse

Pragmatics ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 379-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arlene Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Group Structure ◽  
World View ◽  
Nominal Group ◽  
Equivalence Relations ◽  
Degree Of Equivalence ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Nominal Groups ◽  
One To One ◽  
Technical Discourse ◽  
Practical Implications

This paper reports on patterns of verb choice in identifying relational clauses (e.g. ‘X is Y, Y is X’) in English technical manuals. While it is obvious that specific lexical verbs will feature in identifying clauses of different functions, e.g. mean (defining), call (naming), exemplify (exemplifying), less transparent is the distribution of these more specific verbs and the general or neutral verb be. The findings suggest that verb choice in (technical) identifying clauses is strongly associated with the degree of equivalence constructed between the two central nominal groups in the clause (the Token and Value). Equivalence relations are one-to-one (rather than one-to-many) and exhaustive (rather than semantically open). Major grammatical influences on equivalence include nominal group structure, ergativity of the clause, and the inclusion of features (e.g. interpersonal, logical or textual) that undermine the privileging of an experientially homogeneous world-view. The results challenge the notions that be and specific verbs are interchangeable and that be is an unmarked choice. On the contrary, the data reveal that under certain conditions be is the more marked choice. The results have practical implications for teachers and students of English (in particular, students of English for Academic and/or Specific Purposes) as well as translators.

scholarly journals IDENTIFYING PSYCHOLOGICAL SUBJECT AS A THEME: FOCUSING ON ENGLISH DECLARATIVE CLAUSES

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-78
Author(s):  
Puspita Sari ◽  
Diana Anggraeni
Keyword(s):  
Subject Matter ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Nominal Group ◽  
Prepositional Phrases ◽  
Usual Form ◽  
Nominal Groups ◽  
Medical Book ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Descriptive Method

This research discusses one of the types of subjects functioning as a theme proposed by Halliday (1985) in the English Declarative Clause which is called the Psychological Subject. Halliday claims the interpretation of Psychological subject into as something which is the concern of the message. It is the first constituent which becomes a ‘subject-matter’ of the clause. The data are taken from two kinds of books. The first one is an autobiography book and the second one is a medical book. The aim of this research is to identify the kinds of the theme found in psychological subjects in the English Declarative Clause and also categories found in psychological subjects functioning as a theme. The method used is a descriptive method and the technique employed is paraphrasing. The descriptive method was used to depict the empirical data discovered in those sources. Meanwhile, the paraphrasing technique was employed in order to explore the characteristics of psychological subject functioning as a theme, types of theme and categories of syntactic units. The study shows that Psychological Subject (PS) functioning as a theme can be filled by words and groups which could be realized by nominal groups (nouns and pronouns), nominal group complexes, adverbial groups or prepositional phrases. Nominal groups (nouns and pronouns) and nominal group complexes can be identified as unmarked themes which are ordinary, expected, and usual form according to Deterding (2001), Gerot and Wignel (1994) identified as the subject of the sentence. Meanwhile, adverbial groups and prepositional phrases could be identified as marked themes because they become the first constituents which perform the point of the departure of the message in the clause.

Les prédicats Prep N figés adjectivaux et adverbiaux

2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-132
Author(s):  
Agnieszka K. Kaliska
Keyword(s):  
Parts Of Speech ◽  
Syntactic Features ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Semantic Properties

The purpose of this article is to consider syntactic and semantic properties of frozen predicates Prep N in Polish, which may express either a state or a property of the subject. Some of them correspond to adjectival interrogative pronouns, while others correspond rather to an adverbial interrogation. We discuss to what extent these and other syntactic features reflect the notional features, defined as a property or as a state and if they justify the division between the adjectival Prep N and the adverbial Prep N. Our analysis is based on Polish data but it also contains references to other languages: French, Korean, English. More general issues are also discussed in this paper: identification of the categories called parts of speech and transfer between categories (noun vs. adjective vs. adverbe).

COGNITIVE AND EYE-MOVEMENT TECHNIQUES IN INDIRECT NOMINAL GROUPS ENTRENCHMENT

2021 ◽  
pp. 5-16
Author(s):  
M.I. Kiose ◽  
◽  
T.G. Kharlamova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Load ◽  
Eye Movement ◽  
Load Distribution ◽  
Parametric Analysis ◽  
Fixation Duration ◽  
Nominal Group ◽  
Changing Roles ◽  
Nominal Groups ◽  
Group Form ◽  
System Of Parameters

The study reveals the reading and construal techniques employed in the process of textual entrenchment of indirect nominal groups. Entrenchment is characterized by the conventionalization of the nominal group form and the repeated referent construal scheme. The research discloses whether any repeated indirect nominal group use contributes to its entrenchment which is assessed in the oculographic experiment. It traces the eye-movement techniques and the reference identification index variations signifying the changes in the cognitive load distribution. To define the construal differences occurring in the first and repeated indirect nominal group use, we apply the system of parameters of focusing and process the parametric analysis of the text fragments. We initially hypothesized that the repeated indirect nominal group use will employ defocusing and repeated focusing schemes, however it also employed new focusing schemes. The changing roles of focusing and defocusing were evaluated oculographically and revealed the techniques of both cognitive load decrease and increase, with fixation duration decrease and stable reading regimes correlating with defocusing / repeated focusing, and identification index decrease and longer fixation duration correlating with new focusing. The results give evidence that textual entrenchment is in most cases accompanied by novel construal, and is constrained not solely by the number of repeated indirect nominal group uses but by its new roles in the text and referent construal.

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