The Grammar of Identity

Intensifiers and Reflexives in Germanic Languages

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Language Arts, Grammar, Linguistics
Cover of the book The Grammar of Identity by Volker Gast, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Volker Gast ISBN: 9781134160891
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: January 24, 2007
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Volker Gast
ISBN: 9781134160891
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: January 24, 2007
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

English self-forms and related words from other Germanic languages (e.g. Dutch zelf, Swedish själv, etc.) are used in two different functions: as ‘intensifiers’ (e.g. The president himself made the decision) and as markers of reflexivity (John criticized himself). On the basis of a comparative syntactic and semantic analysis, this book addresses the question of why two such apparently different functions can be expressed by the same word. This question is answered by showing that both intensifying and reflexive self-forms can be analysed as expressing the concept of ‘identity’.

In the first part of The Grammar of Identity, the most central facts concerning the distribution of intensifiers in Germanic languages are surveyed and a detailed syntactic and semantic analysis is provided. It is shown that all instances of intensifiers can be analysed as expressions of an identity function. The second part of the book offers an analysis of reflexive self-forms which is based on recent theories of reflexivity, modifying these in some important respects. In particular, the distribution of reflexive self-forms is explained with reference to semantic properties of the sentential environment. In this way, it can be shown that reflexive self-forms – like intensifiers – can be analysed as expressions of an identity function. In addition to providing a thorough comparative description of the hitherto poorly described area of intensifiers in Germanic languages, this book offers an answer to a long standing question in descriptive and theoretical linguistics, namely why self-forms are used in two apparently different functions. By combining analytical methods from syntax, lexical semantics and sentence semantics the study moreover contributes to an understanding of the interaction between structure, meaning and context in a central area of lexico-grammar.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

English self-forms and related words from other Germanic languages (e.g. Dutch zelf, Swedish själv, etc.) are used in two different functions: as ‘intensifiers’ (e.g. The president himself made the decision) and as markers of reflexivity (John criticized himself). On the basis of a comparative syntactic and semantic analysis, this book addresses the question of why two such apparently different functions can be expressed by the same word. This question is answered by showing that both intensifying and reflexive self-forms can be analysed as expressing the concept of ‘identity’.

In the first part of The Grammar of Identity, the most central facts concerning the distribution of intensifiers in Germanic languages are surveyed and a detailed syntactic and semantic analysis is provided. It is shown that all instances of intensifiers can be analysed as expressions of an identity function. The second part of the book offers an analysis of reflexive self-forms which is based on recent theories of reflexivity, modifying these in some important respects. In particular, the distribution of reflexive self-forms is explained with reference to semantic properties of the sentential environment. In this way, it can be shown that reflexive self-forms – like intensifiers – can be analysed as expressions of an identity function. In addition to providing a thorough comparative description of the hitherto poorly described area of intensifiers in Germanic languages, this book offers an answer to a long standing question in descriptive and theoretical linguistics, namely why self-forms are used in two apparently different functions. By combining analytical methods from syntax, lexical semantics and sentence semantics the study moreover contributes to an understanding of the interaction between structure, meaning and context in a central area of lexico-grammar.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Personal Branding for Entrepreneurial Journalists and Creative Professionals by Volker Gast
Cover of the book Military Ethics by Volker Gast
Cover of the book The Case of Peter Rabbit by Volker Gast
Cover of the book Preventing Child Sexual Abuse by Volker Gast
Cover of the book FAQs for TAs by Volker Gast
Cover of the book Idealistic Thought of India by Volker Gast
Cover of the book Reflections on Rawls by Volker Gast
Cover of the book Technologies of Being in Martin Heidegger by Volker Gast
Cover of the book Routledge Revivals: Village Life and Labour (1975) by Volker Gast
Cover of the book Getting Grounded in Social Psychology by Volker Gast
Cover of the book The Classification of the Bantu Languages bound with Bantu Word Division by Volker Gast
Cover of the book Back From the Future by Volker Gast
Cover of the book The American Indian Frontier by Volker Gast
Cover of the book Jacques Derrida by Volker Gast
Cover of the book Egypt's Making by Volker Gast
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy