Linking (eBook)

The Geometry of Argument Structure

Janet H. Randall (Autor)

eBook Download: PDF

2009 | 2010
XV, 329 Seiten
Springer Netherland (Verlag)
978-1-4020-8308-2 (ISBN)

Infos

Linking is one of the challenges for theories of the syntax-semantics interface. In this new approach, the author explores the hypothesis that the positions of syntactic arguments are strictly determined by lexical argument geometry. Through careful argumentation and original analysis, her study provides a framework for explaining the linking patterns of a range of verb classes, leading to a number of insights about lexical structure and a radical rethinking of many verb classes.

---

Linking - how semantic arguments map to the syntax - is one of the challenges for theories of the syntax-semantics interface. In this new approach, Janet Randall explores the hypothesis that the positions of syntactic arguments are strictly determined by lexical argument geometry. Yielding novel - if sometimes surprising - conclusions, her Isomorphic Linking Hypothesis establishes the linking patterns of a wide range of verbs and, with those results, shows how to reason "e;backwards"e; from how a given verb's arguments link to what its lexical representation must be. Along the way, the investigation takes on thorny lexical issues - reformulating the Theta Criterion, revisiting the multiple lexical-entry debate, eliminating "e;indirect"e; arguments and redefining unaccusativity. It offers new insights into how arguments are represented, assembles a host of argument/adjunct diagnostics, and re-examines the relation between arguments and predicates. The result of this incisive study is a simple and consistent account of linking, integrated with a radical rethinking of the nature of arguments and argument structure.

Inhalt

Contents 7
Acknowledgements 11
List of Abbreviations 14
Introduction 15
1 A Phenomenon and a Principle: The Isomorphic Linking Hypothesis 15
2 Representations 17
3 The Competition 19
4 Advantages of this Proposal 19
5 Going Forward 21
Part I A Geometric Theory of Linking 23
1 Conceptual Structure 24
1.1 Motivating Conceptual Structure: A Review of the Problems with Theta Grids 24
1.2 Representing Arguments and Satisfying the Theta Criterion 29
1.3 Building Conceptual Structure Representations 32
1.4 Streamlining the Set of CS Primitives 37
1.5 Argument Structure: The Interface Projection from CS 46
2 Eliminating the Direct/Indirect Internal Argument Distinction 48
2.1 Reasons to Eliminate Indirect Arguments 48
2.2 Apparent Problems and Their Solutions 51
2.3 Summary 63
3 Explaining Linking Regularities 66
3.1 A New Linking Proposal: The Isomorphic Linking Hypothesis 67
3.2 Causative Verbs 72
3.3 Comparing the ILH to Other Linking Theories 81
3.4 Unaccusative and Unergative Verb Linking and Some Linking Predictions 90
3.5 Some Problematic Verb Classes 98
3.6 Summary: The Linking Theory So Far 99
4 Syntactically Unexpressed Arguments, Incorporation, and Adjuncts 101
4.1 Implicit Argument Verbs and Implications for Lexical Entries 101
4.2 Incorporated Argument Verbs 112
4.3 Coindexed Argument Verbs and the Bound Argument Condition on Linking 129
4.4 Delinked CS Arguments: Mismatches Introduced ByWord- Formation Rules 131
4.5 Maintaining the Argument/Adjunct Distinction in Light of Selected Adjuncts 140
5 The Linking of Resultative Verbs: Clausal Fusion 148
5.1 The Conceptual Structure of Resultative Verbs 149
5.2 The Argument Structure of Resultative Verbs 155
5.3 The Linking of Resultative Verbs and a Better Linking Theory 168
5.4 Clausal Fusion: Interpreting the Unlinked Theme 177
6 The Prohibition Against Double Fusion 184
6.1 Deriving Resultative Mismatches from the Prohibition Against Double Fusion 184
6.2 Independent Evidence for the Prohibition Against Double Fusion 187
6.3 The Prohibition Against Double Fusion and the Theta Criterion 192
6.4 Against an Alternative CS for Resultatives: The Means Analysis ( Jackendoff, 1990) 197
6.5 An Overview of Linking 207
Part II More Linking Results Across the Lexicon 213
7 Causative Verbs with PLACE Arguments 216
7.1 Obligatory 216
Arguments: 216
and 216
are not Three-Argument Verbs 216
Abstract 217
Verbs: 217
and 217
Concrete 220
Verbs: 220
and 220
Unspecified 225
Verbs: 225
and 225
7.2 Optional Implicit 227
Concrete 228
Verbs: 228
and 228
Abstract 231
Verbs: 231
and 231
A Different Type of Abstract 233
Verb, 233
or ÏPseudoresultativesÓ: transitive 233
8 Unaccusatives: A Cluster of Verb Classes 238
8.1 Unaccusative Verbs with Obligatory 238
Arguments: 238
and 238
8.2 Unaccusative Verbs with Optional 244
Arguments: 244
and 244
8.3 Unaccusative Pseudoresultatives: 246
8.4 Unaccusative Resultatives 248
8.5 Unaccusative / Unergative Alternating Verbs: 252
and 252
8.6 Defining ÏUnaccusative VerbÓ 259
8.7 Unaccusative/Causative Alternating Verbs: 261
and 261
9 Complex Causative Verbs 267
9.1 Causative Manner-of-Motion Verbs: 268
and 268
9.2 Causative ÏMaterial MeansÓ Verbs: 275
and 275
9.3 Causative Instrument Verbs: 277
and 277
9.4 Causative Alternating Verbs: A Reanalysis of the 280
and 280
Classes 280
With 281
10 Other Verb Classes, Other Issues, and Conclusions 289
10.1 Adjunct Fusion Versus Argument Linking: 289
and 289
10.2 Non-Causative Transitive Verbs: 293
and 293
10.3 More on Replacing 297
with 297
10.4 Conclusions and Further Thoughts 302
Summary of Definitions, Principles and Rules1 305
References 310
Index of English Words Discussed 318
Index 322

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 7.11.2009
• Reihe/Serie: Studies in Natural Language and Linguistic Theory
• Reihe/Serie: Studies in Natural Language and Linguistic Theory
• Zusatzinfo: XVI, 326 p.
• Verlagsort: Dordrecht
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie ► Logik
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Sprach- / Literaturwissenschaft ► Sprachwissenschaft
• Themenwelt: Sozialwissenschaften ► Politik / Verwaltung
• Themenwelt: Sozialwissenschaften ► Soziologie
• Schlagworte: Argument Structure • Flexive • Index • Interface • Lexical rules • Linking • Passive • Resultatives • Semantic • Semantics • Subject • syntactic • Syntax • Verb
• ISBN-10: 1-4020-8308-4 / 1402083084
• ISBN-13: 978-1-4020-8308-2 / 9781402083082