Pronouns, variables, and their positions

Miguel López-Astorga

doi:10.18012/arf.v8i3.61299

Abstract

A topic generative grammar has addressed is that of the leftness condition. This condition appears to show that people tend not to relate pronouns and variables in the same sentence whenever the pronoun is to the left of the variable. This approach is basically syntactic. The present paper tries to move to a more semantic framework: that of the theory of mental models. This theory considers the meanings of the words in sentences to be essential. Besides, it proposes that people process sentences linking them to iconic models or possibilities. Thus, this paper argues that the theory of mental models can explain the semantic reasons for the difficulties to relate a pronoun and a variable when the pronoun appears first in the sentence.

Highlights

The leftness condition is a topic generative grammar has dealt with (e.g., CHOMSKY, 1977; HIGGINBOTHAM, 1980; HORNSTEIN, 1987)
Unlike generative grammar, where logical form and syntax are essential (e.g., CHOMSKY, 1977), the theory of mental models focuses to a greater extent on the content of sentences: the meaning of the words in sentences is crucial in the theory (e.g., JOHNSONLAIRD, 2010)
People have no much time to process the information. If this idea is admitted, the theory of mental models can offer semantic descriptions of the mental processes happening when a pronoun is to the left of a variable and a name

Summary

Introduction

The leftness condition is a topic generative grammar has dealt with (e.g., CHOMSKY, 1977; HIGGINBOTHAM, 1980; HORNSTEIN, 1987). The present paper tries to move to a more semantic framework: that of the theory of mental models. It proposes that people process sentences linking them to iconic models or possibilities. This paper argues that the theory of mental models can explain the semantic reasons for the difficulties to relate a pronoun and a variable when the pronoun appears first in the sentence.

Results

Conclusion