Expressive adjectives

2019 ◽  
pp. 69-123
Author(s):  
Daniel Gutzmann
Keyword(s):  
Interesting Property ◽  
Semantic Interpretation ◽  
Pragmatic Approach ◽  
Object Position ◽  
Syntactic Feature ◽  
Syntactic Constraints

This chapter provides an analysis of the syntactic constraints in the semantic interpretation of expressive adjectives (EAs). This chapter shows that EAs differ in many respects from ordinary adjectives. The most interesting property is what is called argument extension: EAs can semantically apply to a larger constituent. For instance, an EA in object position may express an attitude toward the entire proposition. This chapter shows that a pure pragmatic approach, according to which EAs can freely pick their argument, is too liberal and that there are syntactic constraints on where an EA can be interpreted. These constraints can be accounted for by upwards agreement, if the place where the adjective is interpreted carries an interpretable expressivity feature, while the EA itself comes with an uninterpretable one. The upshot of this chapter for the hypothesis of expressive syntax is that expressivity as a syntactic feature can be involved in agreement.

The Grammar of Expressivity

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Gutzmann
Keyword(s):  
Natural Language ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Indirect Evidence ◽  
The Other ◽  
Semantic Interpretation ◽  
Expressive Function ◽  
Syntactic Feature ◽  
Syntactic Features ◽  
Semantics And Pragmatics ◽  
Recent Developments

While the expressive function of natural language has received much attention in recent years, the role grammar plays in the interpretation of expressive items has mainly been neglected in the semantic and pragmatic literature. On the other hand, while there have been syntactic studies of some expressive phenomena they do not explicitly connect to recent developments in semantics. This book bridges this gap, showing that semantics and pragmatics alone cannot capture all grammatical particularities of expressive items and that expressivity has strong syntactic reflexes that interact with the semantic interpretation and account for the mismatches between the syntax and semantics of these phenomena. The main thesis he argues for—the hypothesis of expressive syntax—is that expressivity is a syntactic feature, on a par with other established syntactic features like tense or gender. Evidence for this claim is drawn from three detailed case studies of expressive phenomena: expressive adjectives, expressive intensifiers, and expressive vocatives. These expressions exhibit some puzzling properties and by developing an account of them employing minimalist approaches to syntactic features and agreement, the author shows that expressivity, as a syntactic feature, can partake in agreement operations, trigger movement, and syntactically be selected for. This not only provides indirect evidence for the hypothesis of expressive syntax and extends the usefulness of operations on syntactic features operation beyond their traditional domains, but also highlights the hidden role grammar may play for phenomena that are often considered to be solely semantic in nature.

English binominal NPs: A construction-based perspective

2014 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
JONG-BOK KIM ◽  
PETER SELLS
Keyword(s):  
Construction Grammar ◽  
Semantic Relations ◽  
Semantic Interpretation ◽  
Theoretical Interest ◽  
Basic Properties ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Syntactic Constraints ◽  
Semantic Properties

English binominal NPs (BNPs) (e.g., a giant of a man, a skullcracker of a headache) are of empirical and theoretical interest due to their complex syntactic and semantic properties. In this paper, we review some basic properties of the BNP construction, focusing on its headedness, semantic relations, and the role of the preposition of. We argue that these properties suggest an account in the spirit of construction grammar. In particular, we argue that the English BNP is a nominal juxtaposition construction with particular special syntactic constraints, linked to a semantic interpretation reminiscent of the subject–predicate relation.

Secondary resultative predicates in Italian

1992 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna Jo Napoli
Keyword(s):  
Direct Object ◽  
Semantic Interpretation ◽  
Object Position ◽  
Secondary Predicates

English exhibits PP, AP and NP resultative secondary predicates (SPs). Italian freely exhibits PP resultatives and, less commonly, AP resultatives. This difference follows from two facts. First, resultatives, being arguments of the V except in constructions involving ‘fake’ objects (see section 4), may appear only in positions that non-predicative arguments of the V of their same category can appear in (a correlation stated in (155) below). Since English allows PP, AP and NP non-predicative arguments in the position immediately following the direct object, all three categories can also appear as resultatives in the same position. But since Italian allows only the first two types of non-predicative arguments in this position, only PP and AP resultatives can appear there. Second, Italian sentences with AP resultatives are subject to a rule of semantic interpretation by which the primary predicate must be interpreted as focusing on the endpoint of the activity it denotes (as stated in (110) below). English sentences with AP resultatives are only slightly sensitive to this interpretation rule. As a result, AP resultatives are appropriate in fewer situations in Italian. That AP resultatives are sensitive to this rule of interpretation is consistent with the fact that AP arguments of verb that appear in post-object position are marked in a number of ways.

scholarly journals Semiotics of the Image: Addressing the Different Types of Mental Operation and Their Sematic Interpretation

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. p68
Author(s):  
Euphrosyne Efthimiadou
Keyword(s):  
Semantic Interpretation ◽  
Pragmatic Approach ◽  
Functional Interpretation ◽  
Mental Operation ◽  
Visual Elements ◽  
Visual Support ◽  
Different Types ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Spectator ◽  
Focus Strategies

Our era is dominated by the prevailing presence of images. The spectator often identifies with the characters and aims to interpret the signs evoked by the objects, since every image is governed by codes. If we look at the history of image semiotics, we observe a cognitive and pragmatic approach. According to Kant, the images we receive from the environment are not simply reproductions but often creative productions based on patterns generated by the imagination. According to recent research in semiotics, we observe that the pragmatic approach is extended by a study of stimuli collected by the environment. On the other hand, Köhler’s theory of Gestalt considers perception as a pre-conscious activity, linking visual semiology with the functional interpretation of perception. In addition, Tardy brings into focus strategies of visual communication by highlighting the semiotic status of represented objects. For this reason, it is essential to deepen the versatility of the field of semantic interpretation of a visual support from different types of mental operations. Finally, the semiological approach to the image with different types of mental operation will be able to generate a plural and original semantic interpretation through the creative exploitation of visual elements.

scholarly journals Information structure and the referential status of bare plurals

2001 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 160-170
Author(s):  
Norberto Moreno ◽  
Isabel Pérez
Keyword(s):  
Information Structure ◽  
Object Position ◽  
Bare Plurals ◽  
Syntactic Constraints

The goal of this paper is to study the influence of information structure in the referential status of linguistic expressions such as bare plurals and indefinite NPs in Spanish. In particular, we will argue for the following claims: (a) Spanish bare plurals can receive a generic interpretation in object position and (b) Spanish bare plurals in object position can be topics in siru. We will focus on object position because of the well known semantic and syntactic constraints that affect preverbal subject bare plurals in Spanish.  

A pragmatic approach to teaching clinical physical diagnosis

1981 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
pp. 585-588
Author(s):  
MJ Kutcher ◽  
TF Meiller ◽  
CD Overholser
Keyword(s):  
Pragmatic Approach ◽  
Physical Diagnosis ◽  
Approach To Teaching

Review of Anxiety and Phobic Disorders: A Pragmatic Approach.

1996 ◽  
Vol 41 (11) ◽  
pp. 1149-1149
Author(s):  
Terri Gullickson ◽  
Pamela Ramser
Keyword(s):  
Pragmatic Approach ◽  
Phobic Disorders

Linguistic Data Model for Natural Languages and Artificial Intelligence. Part 5. Introduction to Logic

Discourse ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 109-117
Author(s):  
O. M. Polyakov
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Mathematical Logic ◽  
Natural Language ◽  
Semantic Interpretation ◽  
General View ◽  
World Model ◽  
Semantic Approach ◽  
Natural Languages ◽  
The World ◽  
Linguistic Aspect

Introduction. The article continues the series of publications on the linguistics of relations (hereinafter R–linguistics) and is devoted to an introduction to the logic of natural language in relation to the approach considered in the series. The problem of natural language logic still remains relevant, since this logic differs significantly from traditional mathematical logic. Moreover, with the appearance of artificial intelligence systems, the importance of this problem only increases. The article analyzes logical problems that prevent the application of classical logic methods to natural languages. This is possible because R-linguistics forms the semantics of a language in the form of world model structures in which language sentences are interpreted.Methodology and sources. The results obtained in the previous parts of the series are used as research tools. To develop the necessary mathematical representations in the field of logic and semantics, the formulated concept of the interpretation operator is used.Results and discussion. The problems that arise when studying the logic of natural language in the framework of R–linguistics are analyzed. These issues are discussed in three aspects: the logical aspect itself; the linguistic aspect; the aspect of correlation with reality. A very General approach to language semantics is considered and semantic axioms of the language are formulated. The problems of the language and its logic related to the most General view of semantics are shown.Conclusion. It is shown that the application of mathematical logic, regardless of its type, to the study of natural language logic faces significant problems. This is a consequence of the inconsistency of existing approaches with the world model. But it is the coherence with the world model that allows us to build a new logical approach. Matching with the model means a semantic approach to logic. Even the most General view of semantics allows to formulate important results about the properties of languages that lack meaning. The simplest examples of semantic interpretation of traditional logic demonstrate its semantic problems (primarily related to negation).

Overcoming Stereotypes

2008 ◽  
pp. 110-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Yakovlev
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Pragmatic Approach ◽  
Economic Problems ◽  
Conventional View ◽  
The Government ◽  
High Uncertainty

Using the data of SU-HSU enterprises surveys and internal statistics of KPMG company the paper provides a non-conventional view on three economic problems which have recently been in the center of expert discussions in Russia: competitiveness of firms, corruption in the government and level of taxation. The paper argues the necessity of pragmatic approach to economic phenomena, especially under conditions of high uncertainty caused by the increasing global financial crisis.

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