Unrealized arguments and the grammar of context / Rui P. Chaves, Paul Kay, Laura A. Michaelis.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Chaves, Rui P., author.

Kay, Paul, 1934- author.

Michaelis, Laura A., 1964- author.

Series:

Cambridge elements. Elements in construction grammar, 2753-2674.

Cambridge elements. Elements in construction grammar, 2753-2674

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Context (Linguistics).

Construction grammar.

Lexical-functional grammar.

Semantics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (66 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2025.

Summary:

In null instantiation (NI) an optionally unexpressed argument receives either anaphoric or existential interpretation. One cannot accurately predict a predicator's NI potential based either on semantic factors (e.g., Aktionsart class of the verb) or pragmatic factors (e.g., relative discourse prominence of arguments), but NI potential, while highly constrained, is not simply lexical idiosyncrasy. It is instead the product of both lexical and constructional licensing. In the latter case, a construction can endow a verb with NI potential that it would not otherwise have. Using representational tools of sign based construction grammar, this Element offers a lexical treatment of English null instantiation that covers both distinct patterns of construal of null-instantiated arguments and the difference between listeme-based and contextually licensed, thus construction-based, null complementation.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 31 Jul 2025).

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

1-009-66379-8

1-009-66380-1

1-009-66378-X

OCLC:

1522006569