Layers and Levels of Representation in Language Theory

Layers and Levels of Representation in Language Theory

Author: Jan Nuyts

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing

Published: 1990-01-01

Total Pages: 361

ISBN-13: 9027250235

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Rather than simply a record of proceedings (3rd International Conference on Functional Grammar, Amsterdam, June 1988), this volume contains revised and expanded papers from the conference and other papers inspired by the lively discussion there. The volume focuses on the nature of the structures assumed to underlie utterances in natural languages, in two respects. One area is the question of whether to expand the representations accepted in Functional Grammar (FG) in order to capture interpersonal functions, i.e., communication between speaker and hearer in a particular situation and context, to include, for example, aspect, tense, modality and illocutionary force. The second area concerns whether current underlying representation in FG is sufficiently abstract to be the format for the deepest level of human conceptual knowledge storage, as discussed by Simon Dik in a number of recent articles.


Book Synopsis Layers and Levels of Representation in Language Theory by : Jan Nuyts

Download or read book Layers and Levels of Representation in Language Theory written by Jan Nuyts and published by John Benjamins Publishing. This book was released on 1990-01-01 with total page 361 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rather than simply a record of proceedings (3rd International Conference on Functional Grammar, Amsterdam, June 1988), this volume contains revised and expanded papers from the conference and other papers inspired by the lively discussion there. The volume focuses on the nature of the structures assumed to underlie utterances in natural languages, in two respects. One area is the question of whether to expand the representations accepted in Functional Grammar (FG) in order to capture interpersonal functions, i.e., communication between speaker and hearer in a particular situation and context, to include, for example, aspect, tense, modality and illocutionary force. The second area concerns whether current underlying representation in FG is sufficiently abstract to be the format for the deepest level of human conceptual knowledge storage, as discussed by Simon Dik in a number of recent articles.


Layered Structure and Reference in a Functional Perspective

Layered Structure and Reference in a Functional Perspective

Author: Michael Fortescue

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing

Published: 1992-07-01

Total Pages: 460

ISBN-13: 9027282900

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This volume contains revised and expanded versions of those papers from the 1990 Functional Grammar Conference in Copenhagen that contributed specifically to the current investigation of clause structure in terms of semantic layers. One of the key concepts in this discussion is 'reference'. Some papers discuss ways in which previous accounts of reference need to be expanded and differentiated to provide a consistent picture of referential properties. The power of layered analysis to bring out fundamental similarities between languages of very different types is the theme of another group of papers, again with the referential properties of constituents playing a central role. By some contributors layered analysis is challenged, and the question is raised as to how it might fit into a dynamic and pragmatic picture of language. The book is rounded off by a comparison between layered structure in Functional Grammar and in Government and Binding Theory.


Book Synopsis Layered Structure and Reference in a Functional Perspective by : Michael Fortescue

Download or read book Layered Structure and Reference in a Functional Perspective written by Michael Fortescue and published by John Benjamins Publishing. This book was released on 1992-07-01 with total page 460 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume contains revised and expanded versions of those papers from the 1990 Functional Grammar Conference in Copenhagen that contributed specifically to the current investigation of clause structure in terms of semantic layers. One of the key concepts in this discussion is 'reference'. Some papers discuss ways in which previous accounts of reference need to be expanded and differentiated to provide a consistent picture of referential properties. The power of layered analysis to bring out fundamental similarities between languages of very different types is the theme of another group of papers, again with the referential properties of constituents playing a central role. By some contributors layered analysis is challenged, and the question is raised as to how it might fit into a dynamic and pragmatic picture of language. The book is rounded off by a comparison between layered structure in Functional Grammar and in Government and Binding Theory.


Structure and Function – A Guide to Three Major Structural-Functional Theories

Structure and Function – A Guide to Three Major Structural-Functional Theories

Author: Christopher S. Butler

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing

Published: 2003-06-30

Total Pages: 592

ISBN-13: 9027296537

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This book and its companion volume present a detailed guide to three major structural-functional theories: Functional Grammar, Role and Reference Grammar and Systemic Functional Grammar. This first volume provides the necessary background through a discussion of the characteristics of functional theories, followed by a brief analysis of six approaches to language in the light of this discussion. These chapters lead to a characterization of a smaller set of ‘structural-functional grammars’, among which FG, RRG and SFG are central. An overview of each of these theories in relation to the simplex clause is then presented, followed by a more critical comparison. The remainder of the book deals with the structure and meaning of phrasal units, the representation of situations, and the treatment of tense, aspect, modality and polarity, across the three theories. A major feature of the book is the use of examples from corpora of English and other languages, which serve not only to exemplify theoretical and descriptive claims, but also at times to challenge them.


Book Synopsis Structure and Function – A Guide to Three Major Structural-Functional Theories by : Christopher S. Butler

Download or read book Structure and Function – A Guide to Three Major Structural-Functional Theories written by Christopher S. Butler and published by John Benjamins Publishing. This book was released on 2003-06-30 with total page 592 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book and its companion volume present a detailed guide to three major structural-functional theories: Functional Grammar, Role and Reference Grammar and Systemic Functional Grammar. This first volume provides the necessary background through a discussion of the characteristics of functional theories, followed by a brief analysis of six approaches to language in the light of this discussion. These chapters lead to a characterization of a smaller set of ‘structural-functional grammars’, among which FG, RRG and SFG are central. An overview of each of these theories in relation to the simplex clause is then presented, followed by a more critical comparison. The remainder of the book deals with the structure and meaning of phrasal units, the representation of situations, and the treatment of tense, aspect, modality and polarity, across the three theories. A major feature of the book is the use of examples from corpora of English and other languages, which serve not only to exemplify theoretical and descriptive claims, but also at times to challenge them.


Cross-Linguistic and Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Academic Discourse

Cross-Linguistic and Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Academic Discourse

Author: Eija Suomela-Salmi

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing

Published: 2009-11-19

Total Pages: 314

ISBN-13: 9027288739

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The goal of this volume is to examine academic discourse (AD) from cross-linguistic and cross-cultural perspectives. The adjective Cross-cultural in the volume title is not just limited to national contexts but also includes a cross-disciplinary perspective. Twelve scientific fields are under scrutiny in the articles. One of the unique aspects of the volume is the inclusion of a variety of foreign languages (English (as a lingua franca), Spanish, French, Swedish, Russian, German, Italian, and Norwegian). Besides, in several articles dealing with oral AD, comparisons and parallels are also established with written AD. The research methodologies used in the studies are varied and they offer an overview of the diversity and richness of approaches to AD. All in all, it is hoped that the volume appeals not only to young researchers but also to confirmed scholars interested in cross-linguistic and cross-cultural aspects of AD. It will also be of interest to language teachers or teachers who are involved with e.g. international students and academic mobility.


Book Synopsis Cross-Linguistic and Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Academic Discourse by : Eija Suomela-Salmi

Download or read book Cross-Linguistic and Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Academic Discourse written by Eija Suomela-Salmi and published by John Benjamins Publishing. This book was released on 2009-11-19 with total page 314 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The goal of this volume is to examine academic discourse (AD) from cross-linguistic and cross-cultural perspectives. The adjective Cross-cultural in the volume title is not just limited to national contexts but also includes a cross-disciplinary perspective. Twelve scientific fields are under scrutiny in the articles. One of the unique aspects of the volume is the inclusion of a variety of foreign languages (English (as a lingua franca), Spanish, French, Swedish, Russian, German, Italian, and Norwegian). Besides, in several articles dealing with oral AD, comparisons and parallels are also established with written AD. The research methodologies used in the studies are varied and they offer an overview of the diversity and richness of approaches to AD. All in all, it is hoped that the volume appeals not only to young researchers but also to confirmed scholars interested in cross-linguistic and cross-cultural aspects of AD. It will also be of interest to language teachers or teachers who are involved with e.g. international students and academic mobility.


Casebook in Functional Discourse Grammar

Casebook in Functional Discourse Grammar

Author: J. Lachlan Mackenzie

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing

Published: 2013-09-06

Total Pages: 325

ISBN-13: 9027271585

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This book provides ten case studies in Functional Discourse Grammar (FDG), a typologically-oriented theory of the organization of natural languages that has risen to prominence in recent years. The authors, all committed practitioners of FDG, include Kees Hengeveld, the intellectual father of the theory, who shows how it offers a radically new approach to constituent ordering. Other themes covered are evidentiality, modality, adpositions, verb morphology, possession, raising, sequence of tenses, semi-fixed constructions and prelinguistic conceptualization. The volume contains an introduction that explains the rudiments of FDG and summarizes the ten remaining chapters. The Casebook moves on from Hengeveld & Mackenzie’s (2008) Functional Discourse Grammar to show how the theory is applied to linguistic problems new and old. The languages treated are Blackfoot, Dutch, English, Spanish, Welsh, indigenous languages of Brazil, and many others.


Book Synopsis Casebook in Functional Discourse Grammar by : J. Lachlan Mackenzie

Download or read book Casebook in Functional Discourse Grammar written by J. Lachlan Mackenzie and published by John Benjamins Publishing. This book was released on 2013-09-06 with total page 325 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides ten case studies in Functional Discourse Grammar (FDG), a typologically-oriented theory of the organization of natural languages that has risen to prominence in recent years. The authors, all committed practitioners of FDG, include Kees Hengeveld, the intellectual father of the theory, who shows how it offers a radically new approach to constituent ordering. Other themes covered are evidentiality, modality, adpositions, verb morphology, possession, raising, sequence of tenses, semi-fixed constructions and prelinguistic conceptualization. The volume contains an introduction that explains the rudiments of FDG and summarizes the ten remaining chapters. The Casebook moves on from Hengeveld & Mackenzie’s (2008) Functional Discourse Grammar to show how the theory is applied to linguistic problems new and old. The languages treated are Blackfoot, Dutch, English, Spanish, Welsh, indigenous languages of Brazil, and many others.


Unity in Diversity

Unity in Diversity

Author: Harm Pinkster

Publisher: Walter de Gruyter

Published: 2011-12-07

Total Pages: 325

ISBN-13: 3110847426

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Book Synopsis Unity in Diversity by : Harm Pinkster

Download or read book Unity in Diversity written by Harm Pinkster and published by Walter de Gruyter. This book was released on 2011-12-07 with total page 325 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


The Verb in Turkish

The Verb in Turkish

Author: Eser Erguvanl? Taylan

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing

Published: 2002-02-21

Total Pages: 289

ISBN-13: 9027297614

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This book is a collection of articles on the properties of the verb in Turkish as the core element of clause structure, by linguists from different parts of the world. Articles present the most recent analyses on the Turkish language carried out in various theoretical orientations within the functional-formal range. The topics researched in the contributions center around properties of verbal inflection as the morphological means to express temporal, aspectual and modal notions, and the implications of these morphological configurations to syntactic theory.


Book Synopsis The Verb in Turkish by : Eser Erguvanl? Taylan

Download or read book The Verb in Turkish written by Eser Erguvanl? Taylan and published by John Benjamins Publishing. This book was released on 2002-02-21 with total page 289 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is a collection of articles on the properties of the verb in Turkish as the core element of clause structure, by linguists from different parts of the world. Articles present the most recent analyses on the Turkish language carried out in various theoretical orientations within the functional-formal range. The topics researched in the contributions center around properties of verbal inflection as the morphological means to express temporal, aspectual and modal notions, and the implications of these morphological configurations to syntactic theory.


Studies on Turkish and Turkic Languages

Studies on Turkish and Turkic Languages

Author: Aslı Göksel

Publisher: Otto Harrassowitz Verlag

Published: 2000

Total Pages: 462

ISBN-13: 9783447042932

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This book contains papers presented at the Ninth International conference on Turkish Linguistics, held in Oxford in August 1998. The papers cover a wide range of topics in theoretical and descriptive linguistics relating to Turkish and Turkic languages, bringing together the work of the most eminent researchers in the field. In addition to articles in the core areas of linguistics which focus on topics such as the morpho-syntactic properties of argument structure, word stress, aspect and modality, word order, embedding, cliticisation and compounding, there are sections on psycholinguistics, language acquisition, discourse analysis, language contact and bilingualism. Although the main language of investigation is Modern Turkish, the articles cover a wide range of Turkic languages, including Karaim, Eynu, Sarigh Yoghur, Salar, Gagauz, Noghay, Khalaj, and Iraqi Turkmen, some of which are endangered, as well as historic varieties such as Middle Turkish, Old Anatolian Turkish and Old Turkic. The book will be of interest to linguists working on theoretical, comparative and diachronic aspects of linguistic research as well as those who are interested in descriptive aspects of Turkish and other Turkic languages.


Book Synopsis Studies on Turkish and Turkic Languages by : Aslı Göksel

Download or read book Studies on Turkish and Turkic Languages written by Aslı Göksel and published by Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. This book was released on 2000 with total page 462 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book contains papers presented at the Ninth International conference on Turkish Linguistics, held in Oxford in August 1998. The papers cover a wide range of topics in theoretical and descriptive linguistics relating to Turkish and Turkic languages, bringing together the work of the most eminent researchers in the field. In addition to articles in the core areas of linguistics which focus on topics such as the morpho-syntactic properties of argument structure, word stress, aspect and modality, word order, embedding, cliticisation and compounding, there are sections on psycholinguistics, language acquisition, discourse analysis, language contact and bilingualism. Although the main language of investigation is Modern Turkish, the articles cover a wide range of Turkic languages, including Karaim, Eynu, Sarigh Yoghur, Salar, Gagauz, Noghay, Khalaj, and Iraqi Turkmen, some of which are endangered, as well as historic varieties such as Middle Turkish, Old Anatolian Turkish and Old Turkic. The book will be of interest to linguists working on theoretical, comparative and diachronic aspects of linguistic research as well as those who are interested in descriptive aspects of Turkish and other Turkic languages.


Rethinking Universals

Rethinking Universals

Author: Jan Wohlgemuth

Publisher: Walter de Gruyter

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 299

ISBN-13: 311022092X

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The series is a platform for contributions of all kinds to this rapidly developing field. General problems are studied from the perspective of individual languages, language families, language groups, or language samples. Conclusions are the result of a deepened study of empirical data. Special emphasis is given to little-known languages, whose analysis may shed new light on long-standing problems in general linguistics.


Book Synopsis Rethinking Universals by : Jan Wohlgemuth

Download or read book Rethinking Universals written by Jan Wohlgemuth and published by Walter de Gruyter. This book was released on 2010 with total page 299 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The series is a platform for contributions of all kinds to this rapidly developing field. General problems are studied from the perspective of individual languages, language families, language groups, or language samples. Conclusions are the result of a deepened study of empirical data. Special emphasis is given to little-known languages, whose analysis may shed new light on long-standing problems in general linguistics.


Structure and Function: Approaches to the simplex clause

Structure and Function: Approaches to the simplex clause

Author: Christopher Butler

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing

Published: 2003-01-01

Total Pages: 593

ISBN-13: 9027230706

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Volume one of a two volume set outlining and comparing three approaches to the study of language labelled 'structural-functionalist': functional grammar (FG); role and reference grammar (RRG); and systemic functional grammar (SFG).


Book Synopsis Structure and Function: Approaches to the simplex clause by : Christopher Butler

Download or read book Structure and Function: Approaches to the simplex clause written by Christopher Butler and published by John Benjamins Publishing. This book was released on 2003-01-01 with total page 593 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Volume one of a two volume set outlining and comparing three approaches to the study of language labelled 'structural-functionalist': functional grammar (FG); role and reference grammar (RRG); and systemic functional grammar (SFG).