Adjective Complementation Research Articles

A syntactic analysis of finite clause as an adjective complementation in English

A syntactic analysis of finite clause as an adjective complementation in English

The atypical uses of causative make in Arab EFL learner writing: A corpus-based study

This study analyzed the atypical uses of make as a periphrastic causative in Arabic-speaking English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learner writing. Data from a learner corpus, The Arab College Corpus, were compared with data from The Louvain Corpus of Native English Essays, from which it was found that there was an overuse of the causative make and a preference for verb over adjective complements. The qualitative analysis revealed that the causative make sometimes substituted enabling causatives such as let or allow. Some usage patterns were attributed to proficiency limitations, and other usage patterns were related to the learner's spoken native dialect, namely Spoken Palestinian Arabic (SPA). The monolingual corpus of SPA Curras data confirmed that the causative xalla had both enabling and effectuating functions, with the two meanings forming a continuum. It is proposed that this continuum is being transferred to the causative make by Arab EFL learners.

Horror Aequi in Adjective Complementation

Horror Aequi in Adjective Complementation

Syntactic bootstrapping with clausal complements of adjectives.

Like verbs, adjectives pose a challenge to the young word learner in that some - like red, round, rough, or rectangular - map onto properties that are detectable through the senses, while others - like ready, reasonable, or required - express abstract properties that have no reliable, physical correlate. Even for those adjectives whose properties are observable, how does a child know that one particular property is being highlighted above all others? The physical environment alone will not suffice. Just as with verbs, the child learning adjectives is faced with an inherent indeterminacy of meaning, which can only be resolved through the incorporation of cues originating from multiple sources.

Language patterns and attitude revisited

Abstract This paper investigates the association between language patterns and attitudinal meanings, focusing specifically on adjective complementation patterns and types of attitudes as proposed in the Appraisal framework (Martin & White 2005). The investigation shows that the tripartite division of Attitude into Affect, Judgement and Appreciation can be supported with pattern differentials. The detailed scrutiny of adjective patterns with respect to the attitude system supports Bednarek’s (2009) argument that both aspects of attitudinal lexis (emotion or opinion lexis) and attitudinal target (the entity being evaluated) should be considered in analysing appraisal expressions, which leads to the proposal that Appraisal is in essence instantiated by choices made simultaneously in terms of the attitudinal lexis that is used and the attitudinal target that is involved.

Adjective complementation patterns and judgement: Aligning lexical-grammatical and discourse-semantic approaches in appraisal research

AbstractThis study takes a lexical-grammatical approach to exploring the evaluation of human behaviour and/or character. It uses adjective complementation patterns as the starting point to examine the lexical-grammatical resources at risk in the appraisal system ofjudgement, aiming to explore the extent to which we can arrive at the same categorization of the resources realizingjudgementif a formal or lexical-grammatical approach, rather than a discourse-semantic one, is taken. Using a corpus compiled of texts categorized as ‘Biography’ in the British National Corpus, the study, on the one hand, shows that most of the items identified can be very satisfactorily classified in terms posited in thejudgementsystem, suggesting that the nomenclature from that model is useful. On the other hand, a considerable number of items have also been identified which construe attitudes towards emotional types of personality traits, leading to the proposal of a potentially useful new judgement category and further an adjusted system ofjudgement. The heuristic potential of aligning the lexical-grammatical and discourse-semantic approaches to appraisal is further discussed.

No argument–adjunct asymmetry in reconstruction for Binding Condition C

The syntax literature has overwhelmingly adopted the view that Condition C reconstruction takes place in wh-chains for R-expressions contained within arguments, but not within adjuncts of fronted wh-phrases. At the same time, this empirical picture has been questioned by various authors. We undertake a series of grammaticality surveys using Amazon Mechanical Turk in an attempt to clarify the empirical picture regarding reconstruction for Binding Condition C. We find absolutely no evidence of an argument–adjunct distinction in reconstruction for Binding Condition C. Neither arguments nor adjuncts reconstruct for Condition C. We suggest that those speakers who report such a contrast (linguists, primarily) are following a pragmatic bias, and not Condition C. While we do not find reconstruction of dependents of fronted NPs for Binding Condition C, we do find reconstruction of fronted PPs. That is, the NP complement of a fronted P must reconstruct for Binding Condition C. The literature also finds reconstruction of NP complements of verbs and adjectives. This means that fronted Ns are special in not requiring reconstruction of their arguments and adjuncts. We suggest that, syntactically, arguments of Ns are treated as adjuncts: semantic arguments simply adjoin in the same manner as true adjuncts. Syntactic adjuncts can be left out of lower copies in chains, something that we suggest follows from a left-to-right syntactic derivation plus an economy condition on copying.

Patterns, Constructions, and Local Grammar: A Case Study of ‘Evaluation’

AbstractThis article takes as its starting point the analysis of adjective complementation patterns and sets this in the context of other studies of phraseology, especially Construction Grammar. The article proposes that a large number of meaning–pattern combinations can be identified as constructions. This endeavour assists and is assisted by the derivation of a local grammar of evaluation. The grammar is made explicit in 22 ‘Analyses’, grouped into five main categories. It includes discussion around the process of mapping meaning on to pattern, the consideration of borderline cases, and the debate around naming of elements. This contributes to a comparison of different approaches to phraseology, and in particular to the place of Construction Grammar in relation to more output-oriented approaches. Suggestions for the application of this approach to language teaching are offered.

From the Complex NP Constraint to everything: On deep extractions across categories

AbstractThe article establishes a new generalization concerning domains from which extraction is possible. Taking as the starting point the well-known difference between NPs and VPs regarding extraction, where extraction from Complex NPs is not possible while extraction from Complex VPs is possible, the article argues that the former represents a pervasive pattern found in many contexts, the latter being highly exceptional. More precisely, extraction is impossible not only from clausal but all complements of nouns. Furthermore, it is impossible from complements of prepositions and adjectives as well as ergative verbs. A deduction of the impossibility of extraction from the complements of lexical heads (other than non-ergative verbs) is proposed based on a new approach to phases (i.e. to what counts as a phase) and the Phase-Impenetrability Condition, as well as a particular implementation of

Review of Mindt (2011): Adjective Complementation: An Empirical Analysis of Adjectives followed by That-Clauses

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Syntactic Functions of Infinitives in English

The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the most relevant syntactic functions of infinitives within the sentence in English, based on the British 2006 Corpus (BE06) designed by Paul Baker and displayed by the server of Andrew Hardie, Corpus Query Processor (CQPweb). The corpus reveals that infinitives are a very frequent non-finite form employed in English. The most relevant syntactic functions that infinitives took in the corpus were as verbal periphrasis, as verb complements, as noun complements, as adjectival complements, as nominal predicates and as verb subjects. In English there are specific contexts in which the infinitive is not preceded by the particle to , such as after an extensive number of auxiliary, perception and permission verbs. Furthermore, there are other specific contexts in which the infinitive is preceded by the particle to , such as after a large number of direct objects in transitive verbs and functioning as a verb subject and as a noun or adjective complement. The major claim of this study is that infinitives in English do not constitute a uniform group; in fact, they display a variety of syntactic functions within the sentence directly reflecting their nominal and verbal properties.

On the Possessive-Demonstrative Construction in Old English

This paper aims to analyse the Possive-Demonstrative construction in Ole English under the minimalist perspective and examines its implications on the development of the definite article. Instead of Chomskys (2000, 2001) idea of Move, its driving force is attributed to a uF in the moving element. The possessive in the construction is assumed to carry the uF [αstrong] associated with strong declension and undergo movement to go beyond the scope of the definite D. The distal demonstrative, on the other hand, suffers the loss of deictic and anaphoric properties and reduces to a head selecting an adjective complement. Its deficiency is implemented as the absence of the uF [αstrong]. In terms of grammaticalization, the weakening of the distal demonstrative testifies the transition stage before the completion of its shift into the definite article in Early Middle English.

Grammatiese inligting ten opsigte van adjektiewe in aanleerderwoordeboeke

Aangesien 'n aanleerderwoordeboek vir sowel dekodering as enkodering gebruik word, moet dit baie meer grammatiese inligting (eksplisiet aangedui) as standaardwoordeboeke bevat. Gevolglik moet daar byvoorbeeld ten opsigte van adjektiewe aandag geskenk word aan: 'n aanduiding of adjektiewe verbuig moet word of nie, trappe van vergelyking, 'n volledige identifikasie van adjektiewe, 'n aanduiding of adjektiewe net attributief of net predikatief kan optree, die verskillende wyses waarop &lt;i&gt;so&lt;/i&gt; en &lt;i&gt;sulke&lt;/i&gt; gebruik word, die feit dat nie alle "voltooide deelwoorde" uit lydende vorme met &lt;i&gt;wees&lt;/i&gt; gevorm kan word nie, die voorsiening van 'n spellys met die name van mense, lande, plekke, volkere, stamme, tale, asook afleidings daarvan, kruisverwysings tussen selfstandige naamwoorde/werkwoorde en hul adjektiwiese korrelate indien daar groot verskille tussen hulle is, en die aandui van adjektiefkomplemente. Die waarde van valensieteorie by die bepaling van adjektiefkomplemente word ondersoek en daar word gewys op die belangrikheid van 'n onderskeid tussen verpligte en perifere komplemente vir sowel aanleerders as onderwysers. Die linguistiese kategorieë wat in Afrikaans as adjektiefkomplemente kan optree, word voorlopig aangedui, maar daar word op gewys dat verdere navorsing oor hierdie aspek nodig is.

Exploring ‘ke’ as a Focus Particle in Persian from both Form and Function Points of View

In Persian, the word ‘ke’ has a variety of grammatical functions. It functions as ‘a relative pronoun’, ‘a complementizer’, ‘a conjunction meaning when’, and ‘a conjunction meaning because’. In addition to the above mentioned grammatical functions, it has a different functional behaviour. It can be used after any constituent in a sentence—NP, AdjP, PP, and VP—and it can also be used after subject, direct object, indirect object, verb, comparative adjective complement, subject complement, object complement, different adjuncts, negative adjunct, and non-verbal part of compound verb. In this functional role, ‘ke’ is used in order to focalize the constituent and make it prominent. If it is deleted, the sentence remains grammatical and its propositional meaning doesn't change, while its information structure regarding prominence/focus alters. It is generally believed that in order for an element to be focalized, it is necessary to be preposed to the beginning of the sentence. This study shows that focalization occurs in situ; that is, in Persian, through the use of ‘ke’ as a focus marker, elements can receive prominence in situ and any movement to the beginning of the sentence is just for topicalization.

Ilka Mindt: Adjective Complementation. An Empirical Analysis of Adjectives Followed by That-Clauses

Ilka Mindt: Adjective Complementation. An Empirical Analysis of Adjectives Followed by That-Clauses

VERBS IN ENGLISH AND TOBA BATAK LANGUAGE

ABSTRACT The objectives of this study is restricted to investigating and describing similarities and differences of the two languages about verbs in English and Toba Batak Language, included in terms of types, functions, and forms. This study was applied by descriptive qualitative design. The data was taken an observe about Toba Batak language from some of informant and text book. The findings describied that there were some similarities and differences verbs in English and Toba Batak Language. Both the languages, the similarities describied the functions of verb has as predicates, noun phrase modifiers, adjective phrase complements, subjects, suject complements and using to be as verbs. The analysis also shown the differences as how the pattern verbs using tenses in both of the languages, the verbs using affixes. In conclusion, there are similarities and differences of verbs in English and Toba Batak Language.

Ilka Mindt. Adjective Complementation. An Empirical Study of Adjectives Followed by that-Clauses

Ilka Mindt. Adjective Complementation. An Empirical Study of Adjectives Followed by that-Clauses

Ibibio predicative copular constructions

The Ibibio language is a member of the lower cross group of languages within the (New) Benue-Congo sub-family of the Niger-Congo family. It is predominantly spoken in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Ibibio has two types of copular construction; a locative copular construction and a predicative copular one. This paper provides a descriptive account of the predicative sub type of copular construction in Ibibio and has identified two types; one with an overt copular verb do,’be’ which licenses a copular subject noun phrase in the subject position with a predicative adjective/noun phrase copular complement and the other without any overt copula but consists of just a copular subject noun phrase juxtaposed with a predicative verbal adjective complement. The paper observes that the predicative copular verb do can remain covert in a predicative copular construction if its complement is a verbal adjective and must however, be overt if its complement is a predicative adjective/noun phrase. Semantically, both types of Ibibio predicative copular construction are ‘marked’ copular constructions since each is not an option freely available for the other in the grammar of Ibibio. It is also observed that the predicates of the two types of predicative copular construction project structural relations whose semantics implicates stativity. This study is based on a database including both actual and potential words, which standard Ibibio speakers agree are in consistent with their language rules. Key words: Predicative, copula, complement, verbal adjective, covert.

On the Syntax and Semantics of the English Causative Make

This paper is centrally concerned with the syntax and semantics of the English causative make taking an adjective complement (e.g. make the room clean). It is argued that the complement immediately combines with the causative to form a predicate. The resulting complex predicate is a grammatical and semantic unit that is separable at surface for an object. In support of this argument, the paper offers idiomatic expressions (e.g. make sure/certain) and -ing nominals (e.g. the making safe of bombs). It also proposes an analysis of the causative make-plus-adjective (make-A) combination as a lexical construction that denotes the constructional meaning of direct causation. The construction is held in the lexicon as a template with causative-make and is unified with an adjective therein by means of fusion. The proposed model serves as a basis for an analysis of causative make-plus-noun (make-N) combinations (e.g. make Mark Captain) and for a solution to one old problem in the study of causative make-plus-verb (make-V) combinations (e.g. make Eve go).

Deriving syntactic effects of morphological case by eliminating abstract case

It has often been observed in the literature that the presence of a morphological case system tends to correlate with certain syntactic phenomena such as relatively free argument order or the occurrence of nominal complements of adjectives. This paper proposes a theoretical explanation of this traditional observation based on the Minimalist framework. Two main claims are made. First, it is argued that the UG concept of abstract Case, which has played a central role for the analysis of nominal constituents in the generative literature, can be eliminated from the gramar because the phenomena that have been related to abstract Case can be derived from the interaction of the categorial feature matrices of the elements contained within a clause. And secondly, as a consequence which is made possible by the elimination of the concept of abstract case, it is proposed that syntactically represented case features only occur in language with a rich morphological case system and that these case features are the source of the syntactic phenomena that have traditionally been related to morphological case. This paper thus provides support for recent proposals (cf. Bobaljik, 1995; Bobaljik and Thráinsson, 1998; Thráinsson, 1996) according to which morphological properties have an important influence on the syntactic representation and hence on the syntactic processes occurring within a clause.