Scope and Specificity

Scope and Specificity PDF

Author: Feng-Hsi Liu

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 196

ISBN-13: 9027227373

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Scope and Specificity is an investigation of quantifier scope interaction in natural language, with special reference to English and Chinese. In particular, it is concerned with semantic properties of NPs. Quantifier scope plays an important role in current theories of syntax and semantics. However, most studies of quantifier scope are only concerned with the behavior of a small number of quantifiers, e.g. 'every', 'some', 'all'. As a result, the generalizations made on the basis of these quantifiers often do not hold when a wider range of quantifiers is considered. In this study a wide variety of NP types are examined with respect to how they interact with other NPs. The key concept explored is that of semantic scope dependency/independence. NPs are considered according to two properties: whether they can induce scope-dependency and whether they can be scope-dependent. By observing how in basic sentences NPs behave with respect to the two properties, the author presents a picture of quantifier scope much different from what has been assumed in the literature.

Scope and Specificity

Scope and Specificity PDF

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 1997

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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Scope and Specificity is an investigation of quantifier scope interaction in natural language, with special reference to English and Chinese. In particular, it is concerned with semantic properties of NPs. Quantifier scope plays an important role in current theories of syntax and semantics. However, most studies of quantifier scope are only concerned with the behavior of a small number of quantifiers, e.g. 'every', 'some', 'all'. As a result, the generalizations made on the basis of these quantifiers often do not hold when a wider range of quantifiers is considered. In this study a wide variety of NP types are examined with respect to how they interact with other NPs. The key concept explored is that of semantic scope dependency/independence. NPs are considered according to two properties: whether they can induce scope-dependency and whether they can be scope-dependent. By observing how in basic sentences NPs behave with respect to the two properties, the author presents a picture of quantifier scope much different from what has been assumed in the literature.

Function and Structure

Function and Structure PDF

Author: Akio Kamio

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing

Published: 1999-03-15

Total Pages: 412

ISBN-13: 9027299072

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This collection of papers on functional syntax shows the development of a specific stream of functional linguistics initiated by Susumu Kuno of Harvard University. Inspired by Prague School linguists such as Jan Firbas and Vilém Mathesius, Kuno developed a more comprehensive and theory-oriented approach and linked it with the American formalist approach of generative grammar. His approach is thus a unique combination of functionalism and formalism that constantly urges the promotion of interactions between these two major trends in linguistics. The papers in this collection coherently deal with functional aspects of linguistics from a wide variety of perspectives such as theoretical, applicational, experimental and diachronic aspects, incorporating the functional concept advocated by Kuno.

Interpreting Imperatives

Interpreting Imperatives PDF

Author: Magdalena Kaufmann

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2011-10-26

Total Pages: 278

ISBN-13: 9400722699

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Imperative clauses are recognized as one of the major clause types alongside those known as declarative and interrogative. Nevertheless, they are still an enigma in the study of meaning, which relies largely on either the concept of truth conditions or the concept of information growth—neither of which are easily applied to imperatives. This book puts forward a fresh perspective. It analyzes imperatives in terms of modalized propositions, and identifies an additional, presuppositional, meaning component that makes an assertive interpretation inappropriate. The author shows how these two elements can help explain the varied effects imperatives have, depending on their usage context. Imperatives have been viewed as elusive components of language because they have a range of functions that makes them difficult to unify theoretically. This fresh view of the semantics-pragmatics interface allows for a uniform semantic analysis while accounting for the pragmatic versatility of imperatives.

Indefinites Between Latin and Romance

Indefinites Between Latin and Romance PDF

Author: Chiara Gianollo

Publisher: Oxford Studies in Diachronic a

Published: 2019-01-29

Total Pages: 342

ISBN-13: 0198812663

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This book investigates the syntactic and semantic development of a selection of indefinite pronouns and determiners (such as aliquis 'some', nullus 'no', and nemo 'no one') between Latin and the Romance languages. Although these elements have undergone significant diachronic change since the Classical Latin period, the modern Romance languages show a remarkable degree of similarity in the way their systems of indefinites have evolved and are structured today. In this volume, Chiara Gianollo draws on data from Classical and Late Latin texts, and from electronic corpora of the early stages of various Romance languages, to propose a new account of these similarities. The focus is primarily on Late Latin: at this stage, the grammar of indefinites already shows a number of changes, which are homogeneously transmitted to the daughter languages, leading to parallelism in the various emerging Romance systems. The volume demonstrates the value of using methods and models from synchronic theoretical linguistics for investigating diachronic phenomena, as well as the importance of diachronic research in understanding the nature of crosslinguistic variation and language change.

Existence: Semantics and Syntax

Existence: Semantics and Syntax PDF

Author: Ileana Comorovski

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2007-09-04

Total Pages: 331

ISBN-13: 1402061978

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This collection of essays grew out of the workshop ‘Existence: Semantics and Syntax’, which was held at the University of Nancy 2 in September 2002. The workshop, organized by Ileana Comorovski and Claire Gardent, was supported by a grant from the Reseau ́ de Sciences Cognitives du Grand Est (‘Cognitive Science Network of the Greater East’), which is gratefully acknowledged. The ?rst e- tor wishes to thank Claire Gardent, Fred Landman, and Georges Rebuschi for encouraging her to pursue the publication of a volume based on papers presented at the workshop. Among those who participated in the workshop was Klaus von Heusinger, who joined Ileana Comorovski in editing this volume. Besides papers that developed out of presentations at the workshop, the volume contains invited contributions. We are grateful to Wayles Browne, Fred Landman, Paul Portner, and Georges Rebuschi for their help with reviewing some of the papers. Our thanks go also to a Springer reviewer for the careful reading of the book manuscript. We wish to thank all the participants in the workshop, not only those whose contributions appear in this volume, for making the workshop an int- active and constructive event. Ileana Comorovski Klaus von Heusinger vii ILEANA COMOROVSKI AND KLAUS VON HEUSINGER INTRODUCTION The notion of ‘existence’, which we take to have solid intuitive grounding, plays a central role in the interpretation of at least three types of linguistic constructions: copular clauses, existential sentences, and (in)de?nite noun phrases.

Different Kinds of Specificity Across Languages

Different Kinds of Specificity Across Languages PDF

Author: Cornelia Ebert

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-11-08

Total Pages: 214

ISBN-13: 9400753101

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This anthology of papers analyzes a range of specificity markers found in natural languages. It reflects the fact that despite intensive research into these markers, the vast differences between the markers across languages and even within single languages have been less acknowledged. Commonly regarded specific indefinites are by no means a homogenous class, and so this volume fills a gap in our understanding of the semantics and pragmatics of indefinites. The papers explore differences and similarities among these specificity markers, concentrating on the following issues: whether specificity is a purely semantic or also a pragmatic notion; whether the contribution of specificity markers is located on the level of the at-issue content; whether some kind of speaker-listener asymmetry concerning the identification of the referent is involved; and the behavioral scope of these indefinites in the context of other quantifiers, negation, attitude verbs, and intensional/modal operators.

United States Code Annotated

United States Code Annotated PDF

Author: United States

Publisher:

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 792

ISBN-13:

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Comprises all laws of a general and permenent nature under arrangement of the official Code of laws of the United States, with annotations from Federal and State courts.

Worksite Health Promotion

Worksite Health Promotion PDF

Author: David H. Chenoweth

Publisher: Human Kinetics

Published: 2011-06-14

Total Pages: 316

ISBN-13: 1492583405

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In today’s difficult economic environment, worksite health promotion programs are becoming increasingly important as employers look for ways to contain health care costs and improve productivity. The newly updated Worksite HealthPromotion, ThirdEdition, presents students and professionals with all of the information they need to create programs that address these issues, improving both the physical health of the employees and the financial health of the organization. Based on Dr. Chenoweth’s expertise as a professor and a professional consultant, the text combines theoretical principles and research with practical applications and real-world examples to give readers a comprehensive and immediately useable introduction to the field. The text begins with an overview of worksite health promotion that illustrates the importance of these programs in today’s workplace. This is followed by a discussion of the economic forces that make implementing worksite health programs so advantageous for employers. The text’s clear presentation of program benefits highlighted in economic-based evaluations will prepare readers to make a case for their own interventions. Worksite Health Promotion, Third Edition, provides a step-by-step approach to planning, implementing, and evaluating programs. Readers will explore key topics such as assessing employees’ needs, setting appropriate goals, gaining management buy-in, budgeting, and program evaluation. They will also find full coverage of programming issues, including strategies for developing programs for healthy lifestyles, medical self-care, and disability management. The specific challenges of programming for small businesses and multisite workplaces are also addressed. The third edition has been fully revised with an improved organization and updated charts, tables, and references as well as the following additions that reflect the latest research and trends in the field: •Updated information on ADA, HIPAA, and GINA standards as they relate to worksite health promotion that will help readers better understand the implications of the legislation for their own businesses •New sections on health management, health coaching, budget development options, and present value adjustment •More information on integrated health data management systems, e-health technology, nutrition and weight control programs, fostering a healthy culture, and reducing stress in the workplace •Expanded coverage of program evaluation, including new sections on break-even analysis and determining present versus future value as well as improved illustrations of econometric-based evaluations and evaluation design •A larger focus on career development with updated information on certification options, intermediate-level practitioner competencies, and internship and job searches that will help students explore their professional options and prepare for their future in the field Improved textbook features make this leading text more classroom friendly than ever. Learning objectives, end-of-chapter overviews, and a new glossary of key terms will help students focus on the most important concepts in each chapter. Updated Looking Ahead and What Would You Do? sidebars will aid them in applying the information and can serve as the starting point for class discussions or assignments. A new instructor guide gives faculty great help in preparing for courses. It contains sample syllabi (including a syllabus for increasingly popular online offerings), a weekly instructional guide, and course outlines. Also new to this edition is an image bank with most of the art and tables from the text. Current practitioners looking for ideas and strategies for building a healthier workforce as well as students just beginning an exploration of the field can depend on Worksite Health Promotion, Third Edition, to inspire and inform. Both groups will find that this text offers the business knowledge, resources, and insights to guide them in this diverse and exciting career.