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Erker, Daniel; Guy, Gregory R. – Language, 2012
Much recent work argues that lexical frequency plays a central explanatory role in linguistic theory, but the status, predicted effects, and methodological treatment of frequency are controversial, especially so in the less-investigated area of syntactic variation. This article addresses these issues in a case study of lexical frequency effects on…
Descriptors: Role, Form Classes (Languages), Language Research, Semantics
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De Smet, Hendrik – Language, 2012
Actualization is traditionally seen as the process following syntactic reanalysis whereby an item's new syntactic status manifests itself in new syntactic behavior. The process is gradual in that some new uses of the reanalyzed item appear earlier or more readily than others. This article accounts for the order in which new uses appear during…
Descriptors: Nouns, Syntax, Computational Linguistics, Indo European Languages
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Potsdam, Eric – Language, 2009
Backward control is an obligatory interpretational dependency between an overt controller and a nonovert controllee in which the controllee is structurally superior to the controller: "Meg persuaded [Delta]i" ["Roni to give up"]. It contrasts with ordinary forward control, in which the controller is structurally higher: "Meg persuaded Roni"…
Descriptors: Form Classes (Languages), Malayo Polynesian Languages, Linguistic Theory, Structural Analysis (Linguistics)
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Ladd, D. Robert; Remijsen, Bert; Manyang, Caguor Adong – Language, 2009
Discussions of the psycholinguistic significance of regularity in inflectional morphology generally deal with languages in which regular forms can be clearly identified and revolve around whether there are distinct processing mechanisms for regular and irregular forms. We present a detailed description of Dinka's notoriously irregular noun number…
Descriptors: Psycholinguistics, Form Classes (Languages), Morphology (Languages), Nouns
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Viau, Joshua; Lidz, Jeffrey – Language, 2011
In this article we offer up a particular linguistic phenomenon, quantifier-variable binding in Kannada ditransitives, as a proving ground upon which competing claims about learnability can be evaluated with respect to the relative abstractness of children's grammatical knowledge. We first identify one aspect of syntactic representation that…
Descriptors: Semantics, Verbs, Grammar, Language Acquisition
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Li, Charles N. – Language, 1975
A number of syntactic constructions in Mandarin Chinese are analyzed which, synchronically, are unrelated and highly irregular. However, all reflect a diachronic drift which has been operating in Mandarin Chinese, in the light of which the syntactic constructions can be viewed as structures in transition. (Author/RM)
Descriptors: Descriptive Linguistics, Diachronic Linguistics, Form Classes (Languages), Linguistic Theory
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Davis, Anthony R.; Koening, Jean-Pierre – Language, 2000
Proposes an account of linking patterns that does away with intermediary mechanisms such as thematic or actor/undergoer hierarchies. Shows that the generalizations a linking theory needs to capture can be modeled via the same mechanisms as other lexical generalizations, using conditions specified within the hierarchy of word classes. (Author/VWL)
Descriptors: Cognitive Mapping, Form Classes (Languages), Language Patterns, Linguistic Theory
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Duanmu, San – Language, 1995
This study argues that both Shanghai and Taiwanese have a metrical system, that compound stress is left-headed in Shanghai and right-headed in Taiwanese, and that a tonal domain is a metrical one. The article explains some asymmetries between Shanghai and Taiwanese and maintains that metrical structure can be determined when data on phonetic…
Descriptors: Chinese, Contrastive Linguistics, Deep Structure, Dialects
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Senn, Alfred – Language, 1949
This study examines the theory of Prokosch concerning the Germanic-Slavic-Baltic tense and aspect systems. The interrelatedness and influence of languages and dialects in Slavic (Russian and Old Church Slavic), Baltic (Lithuanian), and Germanic (Old High German and Gothic) are demonstrated. Examples illustrating the use of the perfective present…
Descriptors: Diachronic Linguistics, Form Classes (Languages), German, Grammar
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Nichols, Johanna; Peterson, David A. – Language, 1996
Presents a cross-linguistic survey showing that personal pronouns with first person "n" and second person "m" have an extensive yet restricted geographical range limited to the western Americas. Findings indicate that the "n:m" pronouns reflect a single, datable, noninitial, and nonterminal phase in the settlement of…
Descriptors: American Indian Languages, Articulation (Speech), Consonants, Contrastive Linguistics
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Waugh, Linda R. – Language, 1976
Semantic and paradigmatic analyses are employed to show that deixis of the lexical content is the differentiating factor between pre- and post-position of the attributive adjective in French. The nature of modification in general is also discussed. (DB)
Descriptors: Adjectives, Form Classes (Languages), French, Linguistic Theory
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Carstairs-McCarthy, Andrew – Language, 1994
Clark's 1987 Principle of Contrast seems inconsistent with the synonymy exhibited by inflectional affixes in languages with inflection classes. But if inflection class membership identifies the inflection class of the lexemes to which it attaches, then inflection affixation complies with this principle. Grammatical implications are suggested. (76…
Descriptors: Afrikaans, Caucasian Languages, Contrastive Linguistics, Data Analysis
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Ward, Gregory; Birner, Betty J. – Language, 1997
Argues that Abbott's reservations arise largely from assuming that the term "hearer-new" must be restricted to its original use as defined in Prince (1992). Also argues that if "hearer-new" may be extended to encompass a wider range of "entities" (including events, attributes, etc.) and greater flexibility in its potential applications, then many…
Descriptors: Auditory Stimuli, Discourse Analysis, Form Classes (Languages), Morphology (Languages)
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Halle, Morris – Language, 1973
Work supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the National Institutes of Mental Health. (RS)
Descriptors: Case (Grammar), Descriptive Linguistics, Form Classes (Languages), Intonation
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Baker, C. L. – Language, 1995
Locally free reflexives in British English are analyzed as intensified nonnominative pronouns, subject to a contrastiveness requirement and a requirement that the character referred to be more central than other characters in the set. The extent to which discourse prominence marking can mimic locality marking may explain conversions of intensives…
Descriptors: Contrastive Linguistics, Discourse Analysis, Foreign Countries, Form Classes (Languages)
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