The Semantics of Clause Linking

A Cross-Linguistic Typology

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Language Arts, Linguistics
Cover of the book The Semantics of Clause Linking by , OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9780191609954
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: August 6, 2009
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9780191609954
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: August 6, 2009
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

This book is a cross-linguistic examination of the different grammatical means languages employ to represent a general set of semantic relations between clauses. The investigations focus on ways of combining clauses other than through relative and complement clause constructions. These span a number of types of semantic linking. Three, for example, describe varieties of consequence - cause, result, and purpose - which may be illustrated in English by, respectively: Because John has been studying German for years, he speaks it well; John has been studying German for years, thus he speaks it well; and John has been studying German for years, in order that he should speak it well. Syntactic descriptions of languages provide a grammatical analysis of clause types. The chapters in this book add the further dimension of semantics, generally in the form of focal and supporting clauses, the former referring to the central activity or state of the biclausal linking; and the latter to the clause attached to it. The supporting clause may set out the temporal milieu for the focal clause or specify a condition or presupposition for it or a preliminary statement of it, as in Although John has been studying German for years (the supporting clause), he does not speak it well (the focal clause). Professor Dixon's extensive opening discussion is followed by fourteen case studies of languages ranging from Korean and Kham to Iquito and Ojibwe. The book's concluding synthesis is provided by Professor Aikhenvald.

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

This book is a cross-linguistic examination of the different grammatical means languages employ to represent a general set of semantic relations between clauses. The investigations focus on ways of combining clauses other than through relative and complement clause constructions. These span a number of types of semantic linking. Three, for example, describe varieties of consequence - cause, result, and purpose - which may be illustrated in English by, respectively: Because John has been studying German for years, he speaks it well; John has been studying German for years, thus he speaks it well; and John has been studying German for years, in order that he should speak it well. Syntactic descriptions of languages provide a grammatical analysis of clause types. The chapters in this book add the further dimension of semantics, generally in the form of focal and supporting clauses, the former referring to the central activity or state of the biclausal linking; and the latter to the clause attached to it. The supporting clause may set out the temporal milieu for the focal clause or specify a condition or presupposition for it or a preliminary statement of it, as in Although John has been studying German for years (the supporting clause), he does not speak it well (the focal clause). Professor Dixon's extensive opening discussion is followed by fourteen case studies of languages ranging from Korean and Kham to Iquito and Ojibwe. The book's concluding synthesis is provided by Professor Aikhenvald.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book Bound by
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Contemporary British and Irish Poetry by
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Developmental Linguistics by
Cover of the book Hegel: The Phenomenology of Spirit by
Cover of the book Free Will, Agency, and Meaning in Life by
Cover of the book The Future of National Development Banks by
Cover of the book The Rise of the Memoir by
Cover of the book Practical Management of Complex Cancer Pain by
Cover of the book The Persistent Objector Rule in International Law by
Cover of the book Euler's Pioneering Equation by
Cover of the book Coleridge and Contemplation by
Cover of the book Surfing the Quantum World by
Cover of the book The IMLI Manual on International Maritime Law: The IMLI Manual on International Maritime Law by
Cover of the book The European Convention on Human Rights by
Cover of the book Moral Psychology with Nietzsche by
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