Overview

A central problem on the syntax-semantics interface is the mapping between semantic roles and syntactic arguments, usually termed 'linking'. This book presents a clear and concise treatment of linking which departs significantly from models employing a problematical intermediate level where roles are classified into thematic role types such as 'agent' and 'goal'. Instead, the connection between a verb's meaning and its argument structure is shown to be quite direct. This direct connection appeals to certain fundamental aspects of verb meaning, while more specific semantic relations such as 'goal' are relevant to linking only when such relations are associated with the meanings of prepositions and similar forms. As a result, the theory is firmly grounded in the semantic content of verbs and prepositions.

Full Product Details

Author:   Stephen Wechsler (University of Texas, Austin)
Publisher:   Centre for the Study of Language & Information
Imprint:   Centre for the Study of Language & Information
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 1.80cm , Length: 22.80cm
Weight:   0.415kg
ISBN:  

9781881526698

ISBN 10:   1881526690
Pages:   167
Publication Date:   01 June 1995
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Unknown
Availability:   Out of stock  

Table of Contents

1. Introduction; 1.1 Argument structure and linking; 1.2 Previous approaches to argument structure; 1.3 Theoretical framework; 1.4 Overview; 2. Semantic constraints on argument structure; 2.1 Notions; 2.2 Cause and effect; 2.3 The part rule; 2.4 Conclusion; 3. Oblique complements; 3.1 Prepositions and co-predication; 3.2 The restricted recipient NP; 3.3 Valency and for-datives; 3.4 Predictions of the account; 3.5 Comparison with previous analysis; 3.6 Restricted NP complements in Swedish and Dutch; 3.7 Overview of the theory; 4. Reformulations in the Hierarchical Lexicon; 4.1 Preposition selection revisited; 4.2 The semantics of argument structure revisited; 4.3 Valence and subjects; 4.4 Summary; References.

Reviews

. ..the book is readable and well edited. ...the insights Wechsler offers into the verbal lexicon and its relation to syntax make ...the text worthwhile. James K. Watters, Notes on Linguistics

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