Exploring the Syntax-Semantics Interface

By: Robert D. Jr. Van Valin

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Paperback | 27 September 2005

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334 Pages

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Language is a system of communication in which grammatical structures function to express meaning in context. While all languages can achieve the same basic communicative ends, they each use different means to achieve them, particularly in the divergent ways that syntax, semantics and pragmatics interact across languages. This book looks in detail at how structure, meaning, and communicative function interact in human languages. Working within the framework of Role and Reference Grammar (RRG), Van Valin proposes a set of rules, called the 'linking algorithm', which relates syntactic and semantic representations to each other, with discourse-pragmatics playing a role in the linking. Using this model, he discusses the full range of grammatical phenomena, including the structures of simple and complex sentences, verb and argument structure, voice, reflexivization and extraction restrictions. Clearly written and comprehensive, this book will be welcomed by all those working on the interface between syntax, semantics and pragmatics.

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'this book on RRG linguistic theory succeeds to provide a fresh and deep analytic view on the exploration of the syntax, semantics, and pragmatics interfaces ... A special remark should emphasize the cross-linguistic value of the whole investigation within the book.' Zentralblatt MATH

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Non-Fiction Language & Linguistics Linguistics Grammar, Syntax & Morphology Semantics & Discourse Analysis Language Learning & Teaching Language Teaching & Learning Material & Coursework Grammar, Vocabulary & Pronunciation

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Published: 7th July 2005

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List of figures	p. ix
List of tables	p. xiv
Preface	p. xvii
List of abbreviations	p. xviii
Introduction	p. 1
Syntactic structure	p. 3
General considerations	p. 3
The layered structure of the clause	p. 3
Operators	p. 8
Formal representation of clause structure	p. 11
Clause structure in dependent-marking and head-marking languages	p. 16
Adjuncts and the periphery	p. 19
Adpositional and noun phrase structure	p. 21
Lexical representation and semantic roles	p. 31
General considerations	p. 31
Verb classes and logical structures	p. 31
Operators	p. 50
Nouns and noun phrases	p. 50
Semantic roles	p. 53
Information structure	p. 68
General considerations	p. 68
Topic and focus	p. 68
Focus structure and focus types	p. 69
Morphosyntactic marking of focus structure	p. 73
Formal representation of focus structure	p. 77
Focus structure and the notion of VP	p. 80
Focus structure and the interpretation of quantifier scope	p. 81
Syntactic relations and case marking	p. 89
General considerations	p. 89
Do all languages have grammatical relations?	p. 89
Privileged syntactic arguments	p. 94
Types of privileged syntactic arguments	p. 101
Case marking and agreement	p. 107
Other syntactic functions	p. 115
Linking syntactic and semantic representations in simple sentences	p. 128
General considerations	p. 128
The linking algorithm	p. 129
The role of the lexicon in grammar	p. 158
Reflexivization	p. 161
Focus structure and linking	p. 170
The structure of complex sentences	p. 183
General considerations	p. 183
Nexus relations	p. 183
The layered structure of the clause and juncture	p. 188
Symmetrical vs asymmetrical linkage	p. 198
Operators in complex sentences	p. 201
Complementizer position	p. 205
Interclausal semantic relations and the interclausal relations hierarchy	p. 205
Focus structure in complex sentences	p. 213
Complex NPs	p. 220
Syntactic templates for complex sentences	p. 223
Linking syntax and semantics in complex sentences	p. 225
General considerations	p. 225
Linking in clausal junctures	p. 228
Linking in nuclear junctures	p. 234
Linking in core junctures	p. 239
Linking in complex noun phrases	p. 260
Reflexivization in complex sentences	p. 267
Constraints on linking in WH-questions and related constructions	p. 272
References	p. 294
Languages index	p. 304
Subject index	p. 306
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Exploring the Syntax-Semantics Interface

At a Glance

Paperback

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

Other Editions and Formats

Hardcover

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