scholarly journals Form, meaning, and reference in natural language: A phenomenological account of proper names

Diacronia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaas Willems
Keyword(s):  
Edmund Husserl ◽  
Proper Names ◽  
Semantic Theory ◽  
Part Of Speech ◽  
Proper Name ◽  
Phenomenological Account ◽  
General Linguistics ◽  
General Linguistic ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
And Linguistics

In my book Eigenname und Bedeutung (1996), I started from the observation that modern theories of proper names fail to do justice to the specific and complex semantic nature of proper names. Since the 1960’s and 1970’s, theorizing about proper names has been dominated largely by scholars working in the traditions of analytic philosophy and logic, in particular John R. Searle and Saul Kripke. I argued, however, that the highly specific kind of meaning typical of proper names should be studied within a theory more in touch with general linguistics proper. The main philosophical (especially referential) and logical (especially formal) accounts start from the assumption that a proper name is “backed up” by encyclopaedic information held by speakers of the referents (Searle), or that a proper name is a meaningless, yet rigidly designating sign (Kripke). In contrast to these views, I argue that a general linguistic definition of the proper name has to focus not only on logical and philosophical issues, but also on the specifically linguistic semantic function of the proper name as a “part of speech” in actual utterances. This approach has nothing to do with pragmatics or discourse analysis, but aims at describing proper names and appellative nouns as categories of speech in language use, bringing into play a functional focus on proper names that has largely been lacking in definitions of the proper name so far. An outline of a semantic theory of proper names is then proposed based on some aspects of a “phenomenology of language and linguistics” as found in the work of Edmund Husserl and Eugenio Coseriu. Roughly speaking, Husserl represents the general epistemological implications of the paper and Coseriu its specifically linguistic aspects.

DIRECTIONS OF ASSOCIATIVE IDENTIFICATION OF PERSONAL NAMES

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (28) ◽  
pp. 118-128
Author(s):  
Olena Karpenko ◽  
Tetiana Stoianova
Keyword(s):  
Proper Names ◽  
Mental Lexicon ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Sound Symbolism ◽  
Personal Names ◽  
Communicative Process ◽  
Proper Name ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Scientific Value ◽  
The Brain

The article is devoted to the study of personal names from a cognitive point of view. The study is based on the cognitive concept that speech actually exists not in the speech, not in linguistic writings and dictionaries, but in consciousness, in the mental lexicon, in the language of the brain. The conditions for identifying personal names can encompass not only the context, encyclopedias, and reference books, but also the sound form of the word. In the communicative process, during a free associative experiment, which included a name and a recipient’s mental lexicon. The recipient was assigned a task to quickly give some association to the name. The aggregate of a certain number of reactions of different recipients forms the associative field of a proper name. The associative experiment creates the best conditions for identifying the lexeme. The definition of a monosemantic personal name primarily includes the search of what it denotes, while during the process of identifying a polysemantic personal name recipients tend have different reactions. Scientific value is posed by the effect of the choice of letters for the name, sound symbolism, etc. The following belong to the generalized forms of identification: usage of a hyperonym; synonyms and periphrases or simple descriptions; associations denoting the whole (name stimulus) by reference to its part (associatives); cognitive structures such as “stimulus — association” and “whole (stimulus) — part (associative)”; lack of adjacency; mysterious associations. The topicality of the study is determined by its perspective to identify the directions of associative identification of proper names, which is one of the branches of cognitive onomastics. The purpose of the study is to identify, review, and highlight the directions of associative identification of proper names; the object of the research is the names in their entirety and variety; its subject is the existence of names in the mental lexicon, which determines the need for singling out the directions for the associative identification of the personal names.

Rigidity

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Sosa
Keyword(s):  
Proper Names ◽  
Clear Case ◽  
Working Through ◽  
Proper Name ◽  
Definition Of

For an expression to be rigid means (abstracting from some variations) that it refers to one and the same thing with respect to any possible situation. But how is this in turn to be understood? An example will help us work through the definition. Take a word like ‘Aristotle.’ That word is a proper name; and proper names are a clear case of a type of word that refers. ‘Aristotle’ refers to a particular person, the last great philosopher of antiquity; in general, a name refers to the thing of which it is the name. To continue working through the definition of rigidity, we need to make sense of referring with respect to. It is tempting, for example, but mistaken, to understand a word's referring with respect to a possible situation as it's being used, in that situation, to refer to something.

Neurolinguistic and syntactic evidence for basic level meaning in proper names

1999 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willy Van Langendonck
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Proper Names ◽  
Special Kind ◽  
Common Noun ◽  
Definite Article ◽  
Lexical Meaning ◽  
The Status ◽  
Proper Name ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Basic Level

This paper is intended to be an interdisciplinary investigation of the status of proper names, although it takes linguistics as its point of departure. In this study I will define proper names in terms of the currently developing Radical Construction Grammar, as promoted by Croft (to appear). Starting from the referential and semantic functions of proper names, I discuss the opposing theses of the language philosophers John Searle and Saul Kripke, and then formulate my position that proper names are assigned an ad hoc referent in an ad hoc name-giving act, i.e. not on the basis of a concept or predication as with common nouns. This ad hoc assignment can be repeated several times, so numerous people can be called John. Proper names do not have asserted lexical meaning but do display presuppositional meanings of several kinds: categorical (basic level), associative senses (introduced either via the name-bearer or via the name-form) and grammatical meanings. Language specifically, this referential and semantic status is reflected in the occurrence of proper names in certain constructions. I thus claim that close (or 'restrictive') appositional patterns of the form [definite article + noun + noun], e.g. the poet Burns, are relevant to the definition of proper names in English and also to the categorical (often basic level) meaning of the name. From proper names we can also derive nouns that appear as a special kind of common noun, e.g. another John. From a methodological viewpoint it is imperative to distinguish here between (proprial) lexemes or lemmas in isolation (dictionary entries) and proprial lemmas in their different functions (prototypically: proper name, nonprototypically: common noun or other). To corroborate the above theses, I will adduce recent psycholinguistic and especially neurolinguistic evidence. The overall argument will be based mainly on material from Germanic languages, especially English, Dutch and German.

scholarly journals Variability of the language norm in the functioning of toponyms: Problems and contradictions

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 615-632
Author(s):  
Dmitrii Yu. Ilyin ◽  
◽  
Elena G. Sidorova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Native Speakers ◽  
Proper Names ◽  
Linguistic Competence ◽  
Place Names ◽  
Basic Notion ◽  
Lowercase Letter ◽  
Proper Name ◽  
Geographical Maps ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Linguistic Content

The article examines the linguistic content of the language norm related to the spelling of geographic proper names. As the basic notion, the authors use Ludmila Verbitskaya’s definition of the norm recognizing orthographic standards as a particular case of a language norm. The significance of a research in this area is due, firstly, to specificities of spelling norms, and secondly, difficulties of proper name codification. The orthographic norms are characterized by a significantly higher degree of strictness in comparison with other types of linguistic standards, hence, the avoidance of toponymic orthographic doublets creating problems in place-name identification. Normally, place names are not present in popular orthographic dictionaries and other non-specialized lexicographic sources. Not infrequently, the spelling of a particular locality in a codified form can only be found either on geographical maps and atlases or in gazetteers and registries of geographical names of a particular region. As a result, the spelling norm becomes established in the the native speakers’ linguistic competence primarily through the assimilation and application of the corresponding rules. It was revealed that the most significant contradictions in the implementation of the spelling norm take place when choosing an upper- or lowercase letter in compound proper names, as well as when representing the elements of compounds (separately, as one word or hyphenated). The resultss of the present research can be used in revision of orthography of both existing and newly formed place names to make them concordant with the principles of linguistic ecology

scholarly journals Proposta de definição interdisciplinar de nome próprio

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 70-94
Author(s):  
Márcia Sipavicius Seide
Keyword(s):  
Final Section ◽  
Proper Names ◽  
Relevance Theory ◽  
The Third ◽  
Proper Name ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Object Of Study ◽  
The Ideal

Este artigo apresenta uma proposta de definição interdisciplinar do conceito de nome próprio elaborada com base na Onomástica Cognitiva (SJÖBLOM, 2010), na Teoria da Relevância (SPERBER  WILSON ,2001 [1995],  SEIDE SCHULTZ, 2014), na Neurolinguística (VAN LANGENDONCK, 2007), e no conhecimento onomástico do falante ideal (SEIDE, 2021). Na primeira seção deste artigo, descrevem-se o objeto de estudo da Onomástica e as características da subárea da Onomástica em que se insere a pesquisa. Na segunda, são retomadas considerações a respeito dos nomes próprios feitas para sua definição como endereço conceitual. Na terceira seção, apresentam-se as descobertas neurolinguísticas e a descrição do conhecimento onomástico do falante ideal, as quais são integradas resultando na redefinição de nome próprio descrita ao final da terceira seção. Na quarta e última seção do artigo, são descritas algumas implicações dessa redefinição para os estudos onomásticos.  Proposal of interdisciplinary definition of proper nameAbstract: This article makes a proposal of interdisciplinary definition of the concept of proper name based on Cognitive Onomastics (SJÖBLOM, 2010), Theory of Relevance (SPERBER WILSON, 2001 [1995], SEIDE SCHULTZ, 2014, Neurolinguistics (VAN LANGENDONCK, 2007) and the onomastic knowledge of the ideal speaker (SEIDE, 2021). In the first section of this article, the object of study of Onomastics and the characteristics of the onomastic subarea in which the research is included are described. In the second, considerations about proper made by Sperber and Wilson (2001 [1995]) are integrated to the definition of proper names as a conceptual address. In the third section, the neurolinguistic discoveries and the description of the onomastic knowledge of the ideal speaker are presented and integrated and the proper name redefinition is described. In the fourth and final section of the article, some implications of this redefinition for onomastics studies are described.Keywords: Proper name, Cognitive Onomastics, Relevance Theory, Neurolinguistics. Onomastic Knowledge of   Ideal Speaker. 

scholarly journals Análise das objeções ao significado dos nomes próprios na teoria matalinguística

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 405
Author(s):  
Josailton Fernandes Mendonça
Keyword(s):  
Proper Names ◽  
Semantic Theory ◽  
Modal Argument ◽  
Referential Use ◽  
Proper Name ◽  
Semantic Value

http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1808-1711.2015v19n3p405In this paper I examine the three known objections to metalinguistic semantic theory of proper names: the objection of generalization, the objection of circularity, and the objection arising from Kripke’s modal argument. I’m trying to demonstrate that these objections are not conclusive as refutation or rejection of metalinguistic theory. I argue that this is a not a theory of reference but rather of the meaning or semantic value of proper names. Thus, the semantic value of a proper name “N” is “The bearer of ‘N’.” In this approach the significance of this proper name unifies all the possibilities for its referential use and allow us to defend that the name itself is an expression of language, despite arguments to the contrary.

scholarly journals Recovering What Is Said With Empty Names

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gualtiero Piccinini ◽  
Sam Scott
Keyword(s):  
Proper Names ◽  
Semantic Theory ◽  
List Type ◽  
Empty Names ◽  
What Is Said ◽  
Santa Claus ◽  
Existential Sentences ◽  
Proper Name ◽  
Semantic Value ◽  
Apparent Conflict

As our data will show, negative existential sentences containing socalled empty names evoke the same strong semantic intuitions in ordinary speakers and philosophers alike.(1)(a) Santa Claus does not exist.(b) Superman does not exist.(c) Clark Kent does not exist.Uttering the sentences in (1) seems to say something truth-evaluable, to say something true, and to say something different for each sentence. A semantic theory ought to explain these semantic intuitions.The intuitions elicited by (1) are in apparent conflict with the Millian view of proper names. According to Millianism, the meaning (or ‘semantic value’) of a proper name is just its referent. But empty names, such as ‘Santa Claus’ and ‘Superman’, appear to lack a referent. If they do, then Millianism entails that they have no meaning.

scholarly journals THEMATIC-IDEOGRAPHIC ASPECT OF DESCRIPTION AND ANALYSIS OF EPONYMY

2019 ◽  
pp. 53-65
Author(s):  
Serhiy Yermolenko ◽  
Maria Ostapenko
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Semantic Information ◽  
Proper Names ◽  
Linguistic Theory ◽  
Secondary Use ◽  
Semantic Data ◽  
Proper Name ◽  
Real Objects ◽  
General Linguistic ◽  
Theory Research

The paper focuses on the thematic-ideographic aspect of eponymic derivation and, correspondingly, eponymic derivation relationship. Eponymy is a three-member structure which consists of an underlying proper name, a derived eponymic lexeme (or phraseme), and the language-internal as well as extralinguistic relationship between the underlying and derived entities. Eponyms are derived from proper names (or onoma propria). From the viewpoint of thematic-ideographic classification, eponyms are categorized into various groups, such as realonyms and mythonyms, in accordance with what is their real world status: realonyms denote real objects, whereas mythonym non-existent or fictitious ones. In the group of realonyms, such thematic-ideographic subclasses are distinguished as anthroponyms, ergonyms, ethnonyms, zoonyms, cosmonyms, toponyms, chrononyms and chrematonyms (indcluding ideonyms), and in mythonym group, mythological anthroponyms, ergonyms, ethnonyms, zoonyms and theonyms (including daemonyms), toponyms and chrematonyms. Various thematic-ideographic groups of proper names differ in the degree of their activity with respect to eponym formation. Illustrating this, the authors draw on relevant etymological and semantic data: each group of Ukrainian, English and French examples is provided with etymological and semantic information. They also consider the problem of the special status of chrononyms and ethnonyms as proper names. Their study shows that in the abovementioned languages, the most productive with respect to eponymic derivation are anthroponyms and toponyms, and the most unproductive, chronomyms and chrematonyms, No eponyms are found to derived from onomastic fitonyms. An important part of eponym study, thematic-ideographic and other, is so called source critique, something which is demonstrated by the analysis of some entries of Etymologic dictionary of the Ukrainian language (ESUM), The present paper and the materials it contains are of interest for general linguistic theory research in the field of the overall semantic and semiotic potential of the secondary use of proper names as a whole and their individual thematic-ideographic subclasses in particular.

scholarly journals Proper name within the framework of nomination. The case of eponyms

2021 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-100
Author(s):  
Martin Ološtiak
Keyword(s):  
Formation Process ◽  
Proper Names ◽  
Word Formation ◽  
Military Aircraft ◽  
Special Position ◽  
Part Of Speech ◽  
Expression Of Emotion ◽  
Proper Name ◽  
Semantic Shift

Abstract The paper explores deonymic nomination, i.e. the formation of appellatives (eponyms) from proper names. By an eponym, any type of non-onymic unit formed from proper name is understood. The analysis is conducted using a database of 1,250 eponyms from Slovník slovenských eponym (Dictionary of Slovak Eponyms; Ološtiak et al., 2018) and a theory of lexical motivation as a methodological background is applied. From this viewpoint, formation of eponyms can be characterized as the loss of onymic motivation (onymic demotivation) and at the same time the acquisition of another type of motivation depending on the type of word-formation process (in a broader sense). In this regard, a word-formation process is understood as any way of coining a new lexeme (one-word unit, multiword expression, new meaning, abbreviation, borrowing etc.). Eponyms are frequently coined by derivation (word-formation motivation, e.g. Albert ‘Albert County (Canada)’ → albertit ‘albertite’, Heine → heineovský ‘of or relating to H. Heine’) and by semantic shift with no part-of-speech change (semantic motivation, e.g. Pascal → pascal). Other processes are rare: part-of-speech change with no shift in morphemics (morphological motivation, e.g. Ježiš (noun) ‘Jesus’→ ježiš (interjection) ‘Jesus, an expression of emotion – surprise, anger, shock etc.’), abbreviation (abbreviation motivation, e.g. Mikojan + Gurevič → mig ‘a military aircraft’). In Slovak, most of the eponyms are loanwords (97.4%), thus, a special position is occupied by interlingual motivation.

Kontrast und Wissen

2009 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-102
Author(s):  
Robin Rehm
Keyword(s):  
19Th Century ◽  
Edmund Husserl ◽  
Specific Knowledge ◽  
Max Scheler ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Black Circle ◽  
Black Cross ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
And Function ◽  
The 19Th Century

Kasimir Malewitschs suprematistische Hauptwerke ›Schwarzes Quadrat‹, ›Schwarzer Kreis‹ und ›Schwarzes Kreuz‹ von 1915 setzen sich aus schwarzen Formen auf weißem Grund zusammen. Der Typus des Schwarzweißbildes weist überraschende Parallelen zu den bildlichen Wahrnehmungsinstrumenten auf, die vom ausgehenden 18. bis Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts in den Experimenten der Farbenlehre, physiologischen Optik und Psychologie verwendet worden sind. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht diese Parallelen in drei Schritten: Zunächst erfolgt eine allgemeine Charakterisierung des Schwarzweißbildes mit Hilfe des Kontrastbegriffs von Edmund Husserl. Des weiteren wird die Entstehung und Funktion des schwarzweißen Kontrastbildes in den Wissenschaften des 19. Jahrhunderts typologisch herausgearbeitet. Unter Berücksichtigung des Wissensbegriffs von Max Scheler wird abschließend die Spezifik des Wissens eruiert, das die Schwarzweißbilder sowohl in der Malerei Malewitschs als auch in den genannten Wissenschaften generieren. Malevich’s main Suprematist works, such as ›Black Square‹, ›Black Circle‹, and ›Black Cross‹ from 1915, consist of black shapes on white ground. Surprisingly this series of shapes strongly resembles scientific black-and-white images used for research on colour theory, physiological optics, and psychology throughout the 19th century. This paper examines the parallels between Malevich’s paintings and the scientific drawings in three steps: It first characterizes black-and-white images in general, using Edmund Husserl’s definition of the term ›contrast‹. Secondly, the paper investigates the development and function of black-and-white images as tools of perception in the sciences. It finally discusses the specific knowledge generated through Malevich’s art and through scientific black-and-white images, following Max Scheler’s phenomenological identification of knowledge.

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