Conceptualizing Some Verbs of Propositional Attitudes in English

Cherif Teimi

doi:10.5539/ijel.v8n4p64

Abstract

In this article, we discuss the semantics and syntax of Propositional Attitude Verbs. Our goal is to clarify and illustrate how Propositional Attitudes function and behave and put forth the conceptualization/ formalization of sentences containing this type of Verbs. We will see how intentions and beliefs are useful to study Propositional Attitudes. Also, we will argue that the semantic approach is more adequate than the syntactic one in terms of classifying Propositional Attitude Verbs. This, of course, is carried out in the framework of Conceptual Semantics that was mainly introduced by Jackendoff.

Highlights

Propositional Attitudes are mental states that people constitute about real world; and intentions and beliefs are said to be special cases of these ATTITUDES
Starting from the fact that intentions are a special case of ATTITUDE, we find it very useful to analyze Propositional Attitudes via the analysis of Intentional Verbs
The suitable approach, adopting Jackendoff’s point of view, is to admit that all verbs of propositional Attitudes can express the same attitude in either case and the difference lies only in whether the attitude is taken toward a situation or an action (Jackendoff, 2007, p. 253)

Summary

Introduction

Propositional Attitudes are mental states that people constitute about real world; and intentions and beliefs are said to be special cases of these ATTITUDES. I will see how people conceptualize situations that contain intentions and/ or beliefs. I will conduct this topic via the analysis of a class of verbs called Intentional Verbs. The first is that intentionality is their main property; and the second is that they select a volitional/intentional Actor. This is carried out through the analysis of Propositional Attitude Verbs in English. Before that, we need some background about propositional attitudes, and characterization of Intentional Verbs

Distinguishing Intentions from Beliefs

The Verb Agree

The Verb Decide

The Verb Swear

Conceptualizing Propositional Attitudes

Conclusion