This article uses an animate/inanimate distinction in "se" constructions in Spanish to explain how to comprehend the messages conveyed by such constructions. Depending on the verb form, the emphasis may be on the event rather than the performer, or indicate that the speaker accepts no responsibility for the event. (CHK)

Most linguistic theory is analytic in that it begins with a complex unit and breaks it down into components. Criticisms of analytic linguistics are made, and a synthetic approach is proposed which begins with atomic components of language and rules for grouping them into more complex units. (RM)

A generative semantic model for a componential analysis of prepositions in Italian sentences is described and critiqued. According to the model, a sentence is analyzed in terms of a "predicate" plus one or more "arguments." The model emphasizes the semantic role of prepositions and regards this role as the basis for a syntactic…

This paper describes predicate adjective usage in modern standard Russian using a corpus of written Russian derived from "Pravda" (neutral literary style) and "Krokodil" (conversational material). The short, long nominative, and instrumental forms are examined in relation to the type of adjective, copulative verb, sentence subject, and other…