Expression and Interpretation of Negation: An OT Typology by Henri?tte de Swart

Description: Expression and Interpretation of Negation by Henriëtte de Swart This study in cross-linguistic semantics deploys the framework of bi-directional Optimality Theory to develop a typology of the relationship between syntax and semantics in negation markers and negation indefinites. FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description t his book applies recently developed tools in strong and weak bidirectional op- mality theory (ot ) as well as an evolutionary modeling of ot in a bidirectional setting to the empirical domain of negation across a wide range of languages. I have long been intrigued by the patterns of semantic variation we find in natural l- guage, and negation has always been one of the topics I was fascinated by. In the past, I have proposed analyses of language-specific observations about not...until in English (de swart 1996), Dutch negative polarity items (n PIs) occurring outside the c-command domain of the licensor (de swart 1998b), the interaction of negation and aspect in French (de swart and Molendijk 1999), scope ambiguities with negative quantifiers in g ermanic (de swart 2000), and negative concord in r omance (de swart and sag 2002). a lthough I felt my proposals were contributing to a better understanding of the phenomena under consideration, they did not lead to an explanatory theory of cross-linguistic variation in the area of negation. Meanwhile, the discussion of semantic universals and cross-linguistic variation in meaning assumed more imp- tance in the literature (cf. von Fintel and Matthewson 2008), which made it all the more urgent to develop such a theory.o ther proposals came along in the literature, exploiting syntactic and lexical notions of variation, and making claims about u- versal grammar and typological generalizations. Notes Unique in its combination of syntactic and semantic formalization in the analysis developed, and wide empirical coverage of dataValuable in its development of bi-directional Optimality Theory as an empirically viable theory of grammar, and a typology of the syntax-semantics interfaceDistinctively combines a surface-oriented syntax with a fully compositional semanticsOffers the most refined analysis so far of instances of double negation in negative concord languages Back Cover This study in cross-linguistic semantics explores the territory where logic, natural language and typology meet. While we can all understand the semantics of negation in its role of altering truth values, this ambitious book aims to take the reader much further. A unified analysis of the linguistic behavior of negation is hampered by the myriad variations in its syntax and semantics in languages around the world. This is true not just for the expression of negatives, but for their interpretation too. De Swart deploys the framework of bi-directional Optimality Theory to develop a typology of the relationship between syntax and semantics in negation markers and negative indefinites. In this model, syntactic and semantic constraints act in concert to define the grammar of a language. Some languages are double negative, some negative concord, and others belong to subclasses identified by strict negative concord nonstrict negative concord or negative spread. In addition to the above, the author analyses intermediate cases, and examines complex instances of double negation occurring in negative concord languages. Her OT analysis of the Jespersen cycle brings together typological and diachronic variation. This books unique combination of theoretical precision and wide empirical coverage make it essential reading for any researcher approaching semantic typology from a logical, linguistic or cognitive perspective. Table of Contents Negation in a Cross-Linguistic Perspective.- Expressive and Interpretive Optimization.- Markedness of Negation.- A Typology of Negative Indefinites.- Sentential Negation and Negative Indefinites.- Double Negation in Negative Concord Languages.- Conclusion and Further Perspectives. Long Description t his book applies recently developed tools in strong and weak bidirectional op- mality theory (ot ) as well as an evolutionary modeling of ot in a bidirectional setting to the empirical domain of negation across a wide range of languages. I have long been intrigued by the patterns of semantic variation we find in natural l- guage, and negation has always been one of the topics I was fascinated by. In the past, I have proposed analyses of language-specific observations about not...until in English (de swart 1996), Dutch negative polarity items (n PIs) occurring outside the c-command domain of the licensor (de swart 1998b), the interaction of negation and aspect in French (de swart and Molendijk 1999), scope ambiguities with negative quantifiers in g ermanic (de swart 2000), and negative concord in r omance (de swart and sag 2002). a lthough I felt my proposals were contributing to a better understanding of the phenomena under consideration, they did not lead to an explanatory theory of cross-linguistic variation in the area of negation. Meanwhile, the discussion of semantic universals and cross-linguistic variation in meaning assumed more imp- tance in the literature (cf. von Fintel and Matthewson 2008), which made it all the more urgent to develop such a theory. o ther proposals came along in the literature, exploiting syntactic and lexical notions of variation, and making claims about u- versal grammar and typological generalizations. Feature Unique in its combination of syntactic and semantic formalization in the analysis developed, and wide empirical coverage of data Valuable in its development of bi-directional Optimality Theory as an empirically viable theory of grammar, and a typology of the syntax-semantics interface Distinctively combines a surface-oriented syntax with a fully compositional semantics Offers the most refined analysis so far of instances of double negation in negative concord languages Details ISBN9048131618 Short Title EXPRESSION & INTERPRETATION OF Publisher Springer Series Studies in Natural Language and Linguistic Theory Language English ISBN-10 9048131618 ISBN-13 9789048131617 Media Book Format Hardcover Series Number 77 Year 2009 Imprint Springer Place of Publication Dordrecht Country of Publication Netherlands DEWEY 401.43 Subtitle An OT Typology Pages 279 Illustrations XVIII, 279 p. DOI 10.1007/978-90-481-3162-4 Author Henriëtte de Swart Edition Description 2010 ed. 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