scholarly journals The lexical representation of English verbs of action. Complex predicates and structures

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 131
Author(s):  
Ana Elvira Ojanguren López
Keyword(s):  
Logical Structure ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Lexical Representation ◽  
Complex Predicates ◽  
Role And Reference Grammar ◽  
Reference Grammar ◽  
Canonical Representations ◽  
Syntactic Function ◽  
Logical Structures ◽  
Theoretical Side

<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>

scholarly journals VERBAL CLITICS IN ROLE AND REFERENCE GRAMMAR

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 581-597
Author(s):  
Ghani Rahman ◽  
Abdul Hamid ◽  
Laraib Rahat ◽  
Arshad Ali Khan ◽  
Abid Karam
Keyword(s):  
Projection Operator ◽  
Logical Structure ◽  
Lexical Representation ◽  
Role And Reference Grammar ◽  
Reference Framework ◽  
Reference Grammar ◽  
Focus Structure ◽  
Activation Level ◽  
Relational Aspect ◽  
Dative Arguments

Purpose of the study: The present study analyses the interplay of semantics, syntax and pragmatics in Pashto clauses containing verbal clitics (VC) in the light of the Role and Reference framework. It particularly focuses on the relational aspect of the clause. The lexical representation of the predicating elements is presented. Methodology: The four projections of a Pashto clause i.e., constituent projection, operator projection, logical structure projection and focus structure projection are analyzed in the Role and Reference Grammar theoretical framework. Main Findings: The findings of the study show that VCs are different from both agreement markers and pronouns with some shared properties. A linking algorithm is proposed for Pashto from semantics to syntax and syntax-to-semantics based on the activation level of the referents. Applications of this study: The study analyses the discourse pragmatic conditions responsible for the occurrence of VCs in Pashto clause terms of role and reference grammar. The novelty of this study: The study has novelty in the sense that it describes the structure of the Pashto clause from a discourse pragmatic perspective which has never been investigated in previous studies. The study shows the movement is triggered by both actor (in present) and undergoer (in past) along with syntactic neutralization. The VCs are different from both agreement markers and pronouns with some shared properties identifying dative arguments like arguments and causing doubling like agreement markers and so, are linked to an ‘agreement index’ node.  

scholarly journals Automatically Representing TExt Meaning via an Interlingua-based System (ARTEMIS). A further step towards the computational representation of RRG

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Mairal-Usón ◽  
Francisco Cortés-Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Language Processing ◽  
Semantic Representation ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Logical Structure ◽  
Automatic Generation ◽  
Role And Reference Grammar ◽  
Reference Grammar ◽  
Level 1 ◽  
Computational Resources ◽  
Computational Representation

Within the framework of FUNK Lab – a virtual laboratory for natural language processing inspired on a functionally-oriented linguistic theory like Role and Reference Grammar-, a number of computational resources have been built dealing with different aspects of language and with an application in different scientific domains, i.e. terminology, lexicography, sentiment analysis, document classification, text analysis, data mining etc. One of these resources is ARTEMIS (<span style="text-decoration: underline;">A</span>utomatically <span style="text-decoration: underline;">R</span>epresenting <span style="text-decoration: underline;">TE</span>xt <span style="text-decoration: underline;">M</span>eaning via an <span style="text-decoration: underline;">I</span>nterlingua-Based <span style="text-decoration: underline;">S</span>ystem), which departs from the pioneering work of Periñán-Pascual (2013) and Periñán-Pascual &amp; Arcas (2014).  This computational tool is a proof of concept prototype which allows the automatic generation of a conceptual logical structure (CLS) (cf. Mairal-Usón, Periñán-Pascual and Pérez 2012; Van Valin and Mairal-Usón 2014), that is, a fully specified semantic representation of an input text on the basis of a reduced sample of sentences. The primary aim of this paper is to develop the syntactic rules that form part of the computational grammar for the representation of simple clauses in English. More specifically, this work focuses on the format of those syntactic rules that account for the upper levels of the RRG Layered Structure of the Clause (LSC), that is, the <em>core</em> (and the level-1 construction associated with it), the <em>clause</em> and the <em>sentence </em>(Van Valin 2005). In essence, this analysis, together with that in Cortés-Rodríguez and Mairal-Usón (2016), offers an almost complete description of the computational grammar behind the LSC for simple clauses.

scholarly journals Discrete Entailment-Based Linking and -EE Nouns in English

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 51-79
Author(s):  
Luis González
Keyword(s):  
Semantic Analysis ◽  
Logical Structure ◽  
Direct Object ◽  
Natural Class ◽  
Object A ◽  
Role And Reference Grammar ◽  
Indirect Object ◽  
Its Analysis ◽  
Reference Grammar ◽  
Prepositional Object

Barker (1998) argues that since the referent of an -ee noun can be an indirect object, a direct object, a prepositional object, or a subject, -ee nouns cannot be described as a syntactic natural class. Portero Muñoz (2003) concurs and offers a semantic analysis based on Logical Structure (LS) in the framework of Role and Reference Grammar (RRG). This article proposes that RRG’s macroroles (Actor and Undergoer) can be derived with two entailments and without any need for LS. Its analysis improves Portero Muñoz’s, presenting additional evidence that subjects that allow -ee noun formation are Undergoers. It also explains why most -ee nouns are direct objects in spite of the fact that the suffi Xoriginated as a referent for indirect objects. Finally, it offers an explanation for nouns like amputee, pluckee, twistee, benefactee, malefactee, biographee, catapultee, razee, standee, attendee.

Lexical templates within a functional cognitive theory of meaning

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 137-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Mairal-Usón ◽  
Pamela Faber
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Logical Structure ◽  
Meaning Construction ◽  
Internal Variables ◽  
World Knowledge ◽  
Role And Reference Grammar ◽  
Reference Grammar ◽  
External Variables ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Relationship

Within the context of the Lexical Constructional Model, which provides a comprehensive account of the relationship between syntax and all facets on meaning construction, this paper is concerned with one of the major representational modules of the model, viz. a lexical template. It is claimed that a lexical template consists of a semantic specification plus a logical structure. The logical structure formalism is constructed on the basis of Aktionsart distinctions proposed in Role and Reference Grammar (Van Valin & Lapolla, 1997; Van Valin, 2005). Aktionsart regularities are captured by the external variables of the template, specified in Roman characters, and by a set of high-level elements of structure that function as semantic primitives. Lexical templates also contain internal variables, marked with Arabic numerals, and formally expressed in terms of a catalogue of lexical functions. These variables capture world-knowledge elements that relate in a way specific to the predicate defined by the lexical template. In order to test the viability of lexical templates, a detailed analysis of a set of verbs within the lexical domain of cognition is included.

scholarly journals Special Nature of Verbs in Sign Languages

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Elizabeth Murtagh
Keyword(s):  
Sign Language ◽  
Social Action ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Lexical Representation ◽  
Sign Languages ◽  
Computational Framework ◽  
Role And Reference Grammar ◽  
Reference Grammar ◽  
Definition Of

This paper is concerned with the special nature of Sign Language verbs, in particular to this research, Irish Sign Language (ISL) verbs. We use Role and Reference Grammar (RRG) (Van Valin 2005) to provide a definition of the structure of lexical entries that are sufficiently rich and universal in nature to represent ISL verbs. This work is part of research work in the development of a linguistically motivated computational framework for ISL. We use RRG (Van Valin and LaPolla 1997) as the theoretical framework of this study. RRG takes language to be a system of communicative social action, and accordingly, analysing the communicative functions of grammatical structures plays a vital role in grammatical description and theory from this perspective (Van Valin 2005). Using RRG provides significant theoretical and technical challenges within both RRG and software. We provide an account of the morphological and grammatical information that can be found within ISL verbs. We use the Signs of Ireland corpus (SOI) to access the relevant linguistic data pertinent to ISL (Leeson et al, 2006). Further to this we use ELAN software as an application tool, which allows us to view the corpus and collate relevant linguistic phenomena pertinent to ISL. We utilise the Event Visibility Hypothesis (EVH) (Wilbur 2008) in the development of our proposed lexicon architecture. We refer to Articulatory Structure Level (Murtagh 2018) in the development of a linguistically motivated computational definition of lexicon entries that are sufficiently robust in nature to represent ISL verbs within the RRG lexicon. We utilise this new level of lexical representation (Pustejovsky 1995), which describes the essential (computational) phonological parameters of an object as defined by the lexical item to cater specifically for the computational linguistic phenomena consistent with signed languages, in particular to this research ISL, enabling us to provide an adequate account of ISL verbs within the RRG lexicon.

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
Keyword(s):  
Syntactic Structure ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Verb Second ◽  
States Of Affairs ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Role And Reference Grammar ◽  
Reference Grammar ◽  
State Of Affairs ◽  
Syntactic Prominence

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.

scholarly journals Towards an RRG analysis of constructions with a morphologcal causaive in some Altaic languages

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-120
Author(s):  
Valeria Generalova
Keyword(s):  
Role And Reference Grammar ◽  
Case Marking ◽  
Causative Constructions ◽  
Reference Grammar ◽  
Transitive Verbs ◽  
Logical Structures

The present paper examines Bashkir and Kalmyk construction formed from transitive verbs by means of causative suffixes1. We refer to these constructions to “constructions with a morphological causative”. The paper also references other Altaic languages (Mishar Tatar, Nanai, Tuvinian, Khakas). The main focus of the paper is on the valence-increasing behavior of causatives. Primary attention is drawn to the case marking of the Causee since Altaic languages allow several options for that. The paper describes in detail the existing alternation and reviews prior explanations of this phenomenon. It then couches the explanation for the alternation within the framework of Role and Reference Grammar. The analysis identifies that Altaic constructions in question are somehow peculiar compared to general trends. After discussing the advantages and drawbacks of various theoretical interpretations of this peculiarity, we conclude that it is best to link two different causative constructions to two different logical structures. We also suggest constructional schemata for Kalmyk and Bashkir to include in the Linking Algorithm.

scholarly journals Old English verbs of increasing: the semantics and syntax of change in size

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 123
Author(s):  
Miguel Lacalle Palacios
Keyword(s):  
Old English ◽  
Verb Classes ◽  
Role And Reference Grammar ◽  
Reference Grammar ◽  
Theoretical Side

<span lang="EN-US">This article aims at defining a class of Old English verbs of increasing based on both their common semantic components and grammatical behavior. On the theoretical side, the framework of verb classes and alternations is combined with Role and Reference Grammar. The data selected for this study have been extracted from both textual and lexicographical sources. After the analysis of the linking between syntax and semantics in this set of verbs, the conclusion is reached that </span><span lang="EN-US"><em>āðindan</em>, <em>āweaxan</em>, <em>ēacan</em>, <em>(ge)ēacnian</em> and <em>(ge)weaxan</em></span><span lang="EN-US"> are the best candidates for membership of the verbal class of increasing, considering the constructions and alternations that they present.</span>

Typology and diachrony of converbs in Indo-Aryan

Diachronica ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Stroński ◽  
Leonid Kulikov
Keyword(s):  
Recent Discussion ◽  
Verbal System ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Differential Object Marking ◽  
Role And Reference Grammar ◽  
Reference Grammar ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
History Of ◽  
Object Marking ◽  
The One

Abstract Non-finite forms constitute an important component of the verbal system of Indo-Aryan (IA) languages. On the one hand, some of them, such as e.g., converbs, have already received proper attention in historical linguistics and typological literature, with regard to Old Indo-Aryan (OIA), Middle Indo-Aryan (MIA) and New Indo-Aryan (NIA) (cf. Tikkanen 1987; Peterson 1998; Subbarao 2012 among others). Other forms, such as participles, have usually been analysed in the wider context of reorganisation of a finite verbal system which led to alignment change (for recent discussion see Dahl and Stroński 2016). On the other hand, adverbial participles or infinitives have so far been under-studied (cf. Sigorski 2005), particularly within early NIA. This period in the history of IA languages witnessed several important morphosyntactic developments and still requires in-depth study, particularly due to the lack of well-edited corpora. The aim of the present paper is to partly fill this gap by highlighting major trends in the development of constructions based on various non-finite forms in early NIA. We focus on main argument marking in converbal chain constructions and its interplay with the animacy hierarchy. We demonstrate a relative stability of differential case marking (DCM), focusing mainly on conditions on differential subject marking (DSM) and differential object marking (DOM). In addition, we compare converbal chain constructions with participial absolute constructions (AC). Finally, in order to give a holistic view of converbal constructions, we verify the type of linking instantiated by them, focusing on three scopal parameters in converbal constructions (Tense, Illocutionary Force and Negation) and using the apparatus of Role and Reference Grammar and Multivariate Analysis.

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