Telic features in the semantics of English nominal compounds

SignGram Blueprint, 2017

Chapter 0 Preliminary considerations-The meaning of words and sentences 557 References 560 Chapter 1 Tense 560 1.0 Definitions and challenges 560 1.1 Absolute tense 562 1.2 Relative tense 563 1.3 Degree of remoteness 564 References 564 Chapter 2 Aspect 565 2.0 Definitions and challenges 565 2.1 Imperfective 566 2.1.1 Habitual 567 2.1.2 Continuative/durative 567 2.1.3 Progressive 567 2.1.4 Conative 568 2.2 Perfective 568 2.2.1 Iterative 568 2.2.2 Inceptive/Inchoative 568 2.2.3 Completive 569 References 569 Chapter 3 Event structure 570 3.0 Definitions and challenges 3.1 Event types 571 3.2 Testing event types 571 References 572 Chapter 4 Modality 572 4.0 Definitions and challenges 4.1 Epistemic and deontic modality 573 4.2 Modality coded by modals 573 4.3 Modality coded by modality expressions 575 4.4 Modality coded by non-manuals 576 References 577 Chapter 5 Evidentiality 578 5.0 Definitions and challenges 5.1 Grammatical evidentiality markers 580 5.2 Other markers of information source 581 References 582 Chapter 6 Argument structure 583 6.0 Definitions and challenges 583 6.1 Thematic roles 587 6.2 Semantic decomposition of thematic roles 589 References 590 Chapter 7 Classifier predicates 592 7.0 Definitions and challenges 7.1 Reference 594 7.2 Anaphora 594 References 595 Chapter 8 Comparison 596 8.0 Definitions and challenges 596 8.1 What can be compared? 597 8.2 Gradable predicates 598 8.3 Visible comparisons 600 8.4 Iconicity and comparative constructions 601 References 601 Chapter 9 Plurality and number 602 9.0 Definitions and challenges 602 9.0.1 Singularis and pluralis 602 9.0.2 General number 602 9.0.3 Paucal number 603 9.0.4 Dual, trial and quadral 603 9.0.5 Count nouns and mass nouns 603 9.1 Nominal plural 603 9.2 Verbal plural 604 9.3 Lexical plural 604 References 605 Chapter 10 Quantification 606 10.0 Definitions and challenges 606 10.1 Types of quantifiers 607 10.2 Strong and weak quantifiers 612 10.3 Quantifier interaction 613 References 614 Chapter 11 Possession 615 11.0 Definitions and challenges 615 11.0.1 Useful distinctions 616 11.0.2 Possessor: Animate or inanimate 617 11.0.3 Possessum: Alienable or inalienable 617 11.0.4 Existence, location or possession? 618 11.1 Strategies in coding possessives 618 11.2 Kinship 620 11.3 Whole-part relations 621 11.3.1 Body parts 621 11.3.2 Whole-part relations with an inanimate possessor 621 11.4 Ownership and association 622 11.4.1 Ownership 622 11.4.2 Association 622 References 623 Chapter 12 Negation 624 12.0 Definitions and challenges 624 12.1 Lexical negation 625 12.2 Sentential and constituent negation 625 12.3 Metalinguistic negation 627 References 627 Chapter 13 Illocutionary force 628 13.0 Definitions and challenges 628 13.1 Declarative force 629 13.2 Interrogative force 630 13.3 Imperative force 631 13.4 Exclamative force 633 13.4.1 Testing exclamatives: Factivity 634 13.4.2 Testing exclamatives: Scalar implicatures 634 13.4.3 Testing exclamatives: Question/answer pairs 634 References 635 Chapter 14 The meaning of embedded clauses 636 14.0 Definitions and challenges 636 14.1 Argument clauses 638 14.

Lingua, 1981

Some of the central problems of (comparative) lexical semantics are dealt with: (i) How does one decide which ~ord groups if any should be trcatcd as lexical items and which ones should not? (ii)What are the limitations of componential analysis and semantic field theory as methods to describe the internal semantic structure of lexical items and their external semantic relationships, respectively, and how can they be transcended? Iln this context the notions of prototype, basic level term, scene and frame are introduced) (iii) How can one avoid the danger of circularity in semantic analyses? (iv) How can analyses be represented? These is,~ues of general interest are addressed with special rel3erence to the domain of linguistic action vcrbials (,,erbs and verb-like expressions uscd it) describe linguistic action~.

Studies in Language, 1981

this paper is a brief summary from book SEMANTICS A Coursebook written by James R. Hurford and Brendan Heasley

One of the most important courses in the linguistics curriculum is an introduction to semantics for advanced undergraduate and/or beginning graduate students. The highly technical nature of this material, the intricacy of the theoretical issues involved, and the relevance for the students’ further studies and future academic careers make it extremely desirable to have a good textbook for this course. There are a number of options for an introduction to formal semantics (Cann 1993, Chierchia and McConnel-Ginet 1990, de Swart 1998, Heim and Kratzer 1998) and at least one to mentalist semantics in the Cognitive Grammar framework (Ungerer and Schmidt 1996), and Cruse 1986 is the authoritative source on traditional lexical semantics viewed from a contemporary theoretical perspective. But many linguistics programs offer introductory semantics courses designed to cover major topics in lexical semantics and some amount of compositional semantics for students who may go on to specialize in either formal or mentalist approaches, or in studies of other fields in linguistics in which they have to be able to apply methods of mentalist or formalist semantics.

In "Acta Philosophica Fennica", 100, pp. 115-135, 2023

In "Is semantics possible?" Putnam connected two themes: the very possibility of semantics (as opposed to formal model theory) for natural languages and the proper semantic treatment of common nouns. Putnam observed that abstract semantic accounts are modeled on formal languages model theory: the substantial contribution is rules for logical connectives (given outside the models), whereas the lexicon (individual constants and predicates) is treated merely schematically by the models. This schematic treatment may be all that is needed for an account of validity in a formal setting, but it does not help to understand how proper and common nouns function in reality (not in models). Putnam then initiated the empirical study of such nouns to indicate, (i), that the popular Frege-Carnap account of them as ("disguised" compound) predicates is empirically incorrect, and, (ii), that they offer a new paradigm for a naturalistic semantics of natural languages. We take Putnam's program a couple of steps further. First, we investigate the semantics of common nouns and argue that they refer (to kinds), rather than apply by satisfaction/ truth to a designation/denotation. Second, we point to general results about semantics as a theory whose fulcrum is the reference relation rather than satisfaction in models and validity across them.

Studies in Language

The Encyclopedia of Applied Linguistics, 2012

This practical coursebook introduces all the basics of semantics in a simple, step-bystep fashion. Each unit includes short sections of explanation with examples, followed by stimulating practice exercises to complete the book. Feedback and comment sections follow each exercise to enable students to monitor their progress. No previous background in semantics is assumed, as students begin by discovering the value and fascination of the subject and then move through all key topics in the field, including sense and reference, simple logic, word meaning, and interpersonal meaning. New study guides and exercises have been added to the end of each unit (with online answer key) to help reinforce and test learning. A completely new unit on non-literal language and metaphor, plus updates throughout the text, significantly expand the scope of the original edition to bring it up-to-date with the modern teaching of semantics for introductory courses in linguistics as well as intermediate students.