Generative Grammar Research Articles

Modal Categories of the Portuguese Grammar in the Mirror of Logical Analysis - I

This publication is the first part of the paper dedicated to the aspects of the logical analysis of the forms of grammatical modality in the Portuguese language. It takes into consideration the general nature of the modality. A difference between speech modality and linguistic modality is drawn. The grammatical modality includes those forms of it that are fixed in the morphology of the word. Forms of nominative modality (for nouns) and forms of predicative (verbal) modality are distinguished. The types of nominative modality are differentiated on the basis of the article. The types of predicative modality are represented by moods of the verb. Functionally, modality does not participate in the semantic representation, does not carry a denotative function, but at the same time it is a tool for controlling the logical form of the thought. The article controls the form of the concept (notion); the mood controls the form of judgment (proposition). Some Portuguese examples are given to demonstrate the logical function of the article accompanying the noun in speech accentuating the inner opposition between extensional and intensional features of substantive meaning. The verbal mood regulates the truth function of the sentence. The truth function of a sentence in Portuguese is marked by the forms of four verbal moods, which are characterized as follows: absolutely true (Modo Indicativo), absolutely untrue (Modo Imperativo), conditionally true (Modo Conditional) and conditionally untrue (Modo Conjuntivo/Subjuntivo). The truth function of a sentence depends on the logical correlation of the sentence with the surrounding sentences. On this basis, the paper introduces the concept of modal taxis. The modal taxis is seen as parallel to the temporal taxis. The temporal taxis means a contextual coordination between the sentences based on the semantic of tenses. In the modal taxis the verb takes a modal form according to its logical relation with other sentence. The independent and dependent types of modal taxis are distinguished; forms of modal coordination in each of the types of modal taxis are investigated. The article may be of interest to specialists in the field of general linguistics, theoretical grammar, Romance linguistics and Portuguese studies.

GENERATIVE APPROACHES TO BEHDINI-KURDISH STUDENTS' ACQUISITION OF ENGLISH PASSIVIZATION

This research examines how Behdini-Kurdish students acquire passive voice in English, focusing on the interaction between their innate linguistic abilities and external language input. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study investigates the strategies used by Kurdish learners on acquiring passive voice constructions, which pose a notable challenge for many individuals learning English as a foreign language. By analyzing the cognitive processes and tactics used by these students, this research aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms involved in second language acquisition (SLA) from the perspective of generative grammar. Preliminary observations suggest that Kurdish students' acquisition of the passive voice in English is influenced by factors such as the linguistic structure of their native language, exposure to language input, and their inherent language acquisition ability. This study emphasizes the importance of tailored pedagogical strategies that align with the theories of generative grammar to enhance Kurdish students' competence in mastering passive voice structures in English. Practical results show that explicit instruction and increased exposure to passive constructions in English significantly improve learners' proficiency. In addition, error analysis reveals common problems with verb forms and agent placement, necessitating focused educational interventions. This study provides important insights into the challenges faced by Behdini-Kurdish students in acquiring passive voice structures in English. Several key conclusions are drawn from this study including challenges in learning passive voice in English among the majority of Behdini-Kurdish learners due to the effect of language transfer in most cases.

Contraction, deletion, and inherent variability of the English copula

Abstract: The following report presents some of the findings of several years' research on the relations between standard English and the non-standard English used by Negro speakers in various urban ghetto areas. The immediate subject is the status of the copula and auxiliary be in Negro nonstandard English. The approach to the problem combines the methods of generative grammar and phonology with techniques for the quantitative analysis of systematic variation. The notion 'rule of grammar' is enlarged to include the formal treatment of inherent variation as a part of linguistic structure. Furthermore, a model is presented for the decisive solution of abstract questions of rule form and rule relations, based upon the direct study of linguistic behavior.

Generative approach to the structure of negative sentences in Albanian

Abstract This paper examines the components of negative sentences in Albanian from the perspective of generative linguistics. Main aim is to analyze the functions and positions of negative elements in the structure of Albanian sentences, providing a comparison with other languages to highlight the universal features and specificities of Albanian. The focus of the analysis are the main negative particles such as “ nuk ”, “ s ’”, “ mos ”, and “ as ”, which are used to express simple and compound negation, including double and intensive negation. Elements such as “ nuk ” and “ s ’” are positioned immediately before the verb to express a simple negation and operate in a C-command relation that blocks the placement of other elements between them and the verb. In the syntactic structure, their position is above the subject and immediately before the predicate, blocking any other element from being placed between them and the verb. While “ mos ” is used mainly in the imperative, subjunctive and imperative moods, taking position before the modal particle or auxiliary verb to control the actions of the verb. “ As ” reinforces negation and can be positioned before the verb or other constituents to create polynegative structures. Comparisons with languages such as Italian and English emphasize that Albanian has developed polynegative structures, which allow the use of multiple negative elements without violating the grammaticality of the sentence. This analysis suggests that Albanian, through complex negation structures, complies with some of the universal principles of generative linguistics, while simultaneously maintaining special features that challenge some assumptions of standard generative syntax.

Exploring Syntactic Ambiguity and Deep Structure Transformations in the translations Rumi's Mystical Poetry: A Generative Grammar Perspective

This paper aims at understanding how the element of mysticism in the selected work of Rumi can be explored via linguistic theory principles such as generative grammar and syntactic ambiguity. By deconstructing surface and deep structures, this study unveils the intricate interplay between language and meaning in six poems: “The Guest House”, “The Marriage of True Minds”, “Where There is Ruin”, “Silence is the Language of God”, “Only Breath” and “Out Beyond Ideas”. These poems are analyzed to decode the mystical meanings hidden in linguistic ambivalences. In “The Guest House”, the metaphor that applies to human life as a ‘guest house’ is studied under the view of syntactic doublet, which corresponds to Sufi conceptions of tenderness and receptiveness. In “The Marriage of True Minds”, love and unity are aligned, which shows how conditional syntax accords with the Sufism perspective of love. This research demonstrates how Rumi’s syntactical creativity supports the theoretical frameworks of multiple readings under the light of mystic wisdom. The insights established in this research yield the concept of analyzing the structure of Rumi’s poem, as well as the relation between language and spirituality.

Filtered Corpus Training (FiCT) Shows that Language Models Can Generalize from Indirect Evidence

Abstract This paper introduces Filtered Corpus Training, a method that trains language models (LMs) on corpora with certain linguistic constructions filtered out from the training data, and uses it to measure the ability of LMs to perform linguistic generalization on the basis of indirect evidence. We apply the method to both LSTM and Transformer LMs (of roughly comparable size), developing filtered corpora that target a wide range of linguistic phenomena. Our results show that while transformers are better qua LMs (as measured by perplexity), both models perform equally and surprisingly well on linguistic generalization measures, suggesting that they are capable of generalizing from indirect evidence.

Sabiedrības zināšanu nozīme Latvijas valodas politikas īstenošanā

In the Guidelines of the State Language Policy of the Republic of Latvia (2021–2027), in addition to the legal, pedagogical and linguistic aspects of the language policy, a significant role is allocated to measures for public knowledge and awareness of languages and their coexistence. The level of knowledge of society plays an essential role in the process of formation of language attitudes, as it includes both factual information and the accumulated experience of the personality and understanding of how language is used and perceived in society. Society must understand the objectives of the language policy in order to be involved in its implementation and to ensure the compliance of the language policy with the interests of society. From the point of view of language policy, it would be particularly important to include questions of general linguistics in the curriculum at all levels of education. This would positively affect not only the individual’s language skills but also the understanding of language functions in society, the problems of language contacts and the basic principles of language policy. However, for the time being, the formal education system does not provide this, so systemic information about language policy guidelines and their scientific basis is an urgent task. A sufficient knowledge base will also ensure meaningful public involvement in the development and implementation of language policy, which is one of the basic principles of the functioning of a democratic society. The openness and responsibility of state institutions for the development and implementation of language policy is important, ensuring that the public is informed about the policy-making process and its results. State institutions must provide opportunities for the public to submit their proposals, reviews and comments on language policy issues. The mentioned questions are relevant for the entire Latvian society in a much wider context of language use, therefore opportunities have been identified to change the model of the linguistic behaviour of the society by strengthening the rational component of the language attitudes in order to ensure the priority use of the Latvian language.

Adverbs and adverbials in contemporary Arabic syntax: A phase-based account

Abstract In generative syntax, two major types of proposals – syntax-oriented and semantics-oriented proposals – have been used to examine adverbs and adverbials. Despite these proposals explaining the remarkable properties of adverb positioning, this class of words is heterogeneous and problematic in terms of their displacement. This study adopts scopal theories and proposes a partial semantic analysis using phases to describe adverbial positioning in Modern Standard Arabic. We argue that the semantic scope and the modification domain are the main determinants of adverbial position, which can best be analysed in terms of phases. In this regard, adverbials are classified into lower and higher adverbials. Lower adverbials have a narrow semantic scope and modification domain. They include subject-oriented and verb-oriented modifiers and freely adjoin the vP layer. Higher adverbials have a wider scope and modification domain. They include discourse-oriented modifiers and tend to attach to the Complementiser Phrase layer. In terms of their hierarchical order, discourse-oriented adverbials are higher than subject-oriented and verb-oriented modifiers in the articulated clause structure. This conclusion suggests that scopal theories along with language-specific rules may provide a unified generalization and straightforward account of the cross-linguistic distribution of adverbs and adverbials.

From sequentiality to schematization: network-based analysis of covarying collexemes in Mandarin degree adverb constructions

Abstract This study investigates the semantic structures of degree adverb constructions (DAC) in Mandarin through a network-based approach. We first utilized covarying collexeme analysis to determine significant collexeme pairs strongly associated with the DAC. We then incorporated network-based quantitative methods to analyze the emerging schemas from these collexeme pairs. Our approach involved implementing network analyses at two levels. The collexeme-based network consisted of lexical nodes representing degree adverbs and modified heads, while the construction-based network featured collexeme pairs as nodes. The collexeme-based network reveals that degree adverbs develop distinct semantic preferences for attributes within specific semantic fields, primarily capturing subjective and evaluative aspects of human experience. The construction-based network highlights dynamic interactions among these significant collexeme pairs, showcasing semantically interconnected collexeme pairs forming cohesive constructional families. Furthermore, these semantic groupings underscore the crucial role of metaphorical extension in creating larger semantic clusters for higher-level linguistic generalization. The emergence of semantic coherences from both networks reflects the evolving nature of linguistic generalizations, transitioning from low-level pivot schemas in the collexeme-based network to higher-order generalizations in the construction-based network. This study contributes to the field of usage-based grammar by emphasizing the fundamental role of sequentiality and interconnectedness between linguistic units in linguistic generalization.

Syntax of DP Deletion and Pragmatics of DP Movement in Passive Voice

This study examines the syntax of DP deletion and pragmatics of DP movement in passive voice from applied linguistics methodology. The data collection was a purposive sampling method as the study specifically alternated the data from Q1 SCOPUS publications, Thai national publications (TCI 1), and Thai undergraduate students’ independent studies (IS) from a private university. There were 99 tokens. The data analyses were linguistics and inferential statistics. Linguistic analysis follows generative grammar, whereas the statistical analysis follows inferential statistical analysis SPSS29. The results of the study showed the similarities of DP by-phrase agent deletion between Q1 SCOPUS, TCI 1, and IS. However, the results in these publications were different pragmatically. The discussion was explained syntactically and pragmatically. The DP arguments in passive voice were omitted due to the reason of widely-known agents. Pragmatically, the movement of DP argument in Q1 SCOPUS and TCI 1 complies with the theory of pragmatic discourse of givenness, while this was not applied in IS. It is expected that the results in this study would be useful for English learners in how to apply passive voice to write research methodology appropriately.

Syntactic Analysis of Nominal Clauses Based on Chomsky’s Generative Grammar and Implications for Language Teaching

Nominal clause is a clause with nominal feature and syntactic analysis is the study of laws of sentence constructions. And Chomsky’s Generative Grammar is a very useful method to analyse a sentence in an explanatory way. This paper aims to focus on how to understand a nominal clause under Generative Grammar (GG) for the explanatory adequacy. In doing so, it will give a brief explanation to the generative mechanisms of simple sentence under GG, then move on to the similar mechanisms of complex sentence, here, it will focus on nominal clauses. On the syntactic analysis of nominal clauses, there are two steps: first recognizing its position in the whole sentence, then picking a proper connective for the nominal clause. Notice this paper will analyse a complex noun sentence for two sentences, one is the whole sentence, and another is the small clause, namely, the nominal clause within the whole sentence. Thus, it can conclude a way to analyse nominal clauses syntactically, and understand their inner constructions. Furthermore, it can explain why a nominal clause form like this and have a better understanding of complex sentences. More importantly, such method can play its role in linguistics and foreign language teaching, which would help language teachers build up a better understanding of the nature of language and the process of language learning.

The Argument of the Matrix Verb Seems in Spec T: The Raised DP or the Given DP

Generative linguists claim that the argument of the matrix verb as in Mary seemed to be innocent is the DP (determine phrase), which is the raised argument of the to-infinitive clause being raised to be landed in the Spec T. However, the current study argues that the DP argument as the subject of the matrix verb seems to be the given DP and this is supported by functional linguistics. The argument in this study is statistically supported by the empirical evidence of international applied linguistic research articles. The data collection was English for Specific Purposes (ESP), which were indexed in the Q1 SCOPUS database. A total number of approximately 250,000 words was derived from 25 applied linguistics research articles, which contained 47 tokens concerning the argument with the matrix verb seem. The data analysis was divided into the framework of syntactic analysis and the quantitative study of inferential statistical analysis. The framework of syntactic analysis follows functional linguistics called the pragmatic discourse of givenness. The statistical analysis in this study was Pearson Correlation in SPSS29. The results showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between the given DP of the matrix verb seem and applied linguistic research articles. The p-value was reported at 0.044. Thus, the hypothesis in this study was accepted. The discussion follows the principle of cohesion and fixed colligations. It is recommended that the hypothesis in this study be tested by other English materials, such as novels and business documents, to contribute to the field.

The Outsider in a Nation: Rudolf Rocker, Nationalism, and Generative Linguistics

The Outsider in a Nation: Rudolf Rocker, Nationalism, and Generative Linguistics

On Singing Together

This paper starts from the remarkable habit of yoik singing among the Sámi people and the notion of togetherness in ‘singing together’, being confronted with the role of technology in the contemporary manifestations of ‘singing’. An important link appears to exist between several forms of grooming and the social dimensions of language and singing, as previously shown by Robin Dunbar. These types of interaction surpass the physiological, hormonal and psychological roles of grooming in humans, in non-human primates and in other mammals. For they also determine the constraints of group-forming processes in mammals, and social structures in humans too. The characteristic group size of grooming mammals has been reported to determine the necessity of social stratification. Number constraints therefore form a silver lining throughout this paper. The analogy with artificial language models, and modern language models (MLM) in particular, has been chosen following the suggested applicability of AI for the deciphering of the language of Whales (Cetaceans). The polemic discussion between Noam Chomsky’s so-called classical generative linguistics and propagators of the nonlinguistic MLM approach (referring to Steven T. Piantadosi) is found an instructive heuristic for analyzing the future impact of AI on human culture. It is suggested that AI-generated analogues of ‘singing together’ will profoundly interact (or already do so) with social stratification and with the conservation of human values.

American linguistics in transition: From post-Bloomfieldian structuralism to generative grammar

American linguistics in transition: From post-Bloomfieldian structuralism to generative grammar

RESEARCH OF COMMUNICATIVE AND PRAGMATIC ASPECTS OF THE VERBALIZERS OF THE CONCEPT "MOUTH" IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK

Linguistic pragmatics is one of the most promising and new areas of modern linguistics, which is an integral part of the theory of language and is studied in the course of general linguistics. Lingvopragmatics refers to the study of how language is used in specific contexts and social settings. It combines the fields of pragmatics, which studies how meaning is constructed through language use, and linguistics, which studies the scientific structure and function of language. This field examines how pragmatic factors such as social context, speaker intentions, implication, presupposition, and the cooperative principle interact with linguistic elements to influence communication.

Linguocultural characteristics of toponyms of the Japanese prefecture of Hokkaido

The article attempts to reveal the linguocultural characteristic of toponyms of the Japanese prefecture of Hokkaido. In the theoretical part the authors review the scientific apparatus on the problem of toponyms in general linguistics, cite the existing classifications of toponyms by such researchers as A. V. Superanskaya, E. M. Chernyakhovskaya, N. V. Podolskaya and others. Of particular interest is the practical part of the study, where the authors analyse the toponyms of Hokkaido prefecture from the point of view of the relationship between language and culture. The material for the practical part was the names of toponyms from the Google maps service, as well as information from the official website of Hokkaido Prefecture. The authors, referring to the classification of N. V. Podolskaya, divided 100 toponyms into their types: insulonyms, hydronyms, oikonyms, oronyms, carried out their linguocultural analysis, revealed 16 toponyms of Japanese origin and 84 toponyms of Ainu origin, which indicates that the Japanese during the development of Hokkaido tried to preserve the original names of geographical objects. As a result of the analysis of toponymic nominations of Hokkaido prefecture, the authors come to the conclusion that different toponymic layers and types of geographical names, which emerged at different times, have physical and geographical features and a number of other factors, still have similar features in the names of heterogeneous languages. The main one is the formation of toponyms from the physical and geographical features of the place of residence, flora and fauna. In addition, another characteristic of the toponyms of Hokkaido Prefecture is the distortion of indigenous place names when fixed by Japanese pioneers, so when adapting Ainu toponyms, the original name is changed.

How to Demonstrate Metalinearness and Regularity by Tree-Restricted General Grammars

How to Demonstrate Metalinearness and Regularity by Tree-Restricted General Grammars

Syntactically branching out beyond the traditional classroom: A report on the discovery method

Abstract: This article reports on the successful implementation of the discovery method in an undergraduate Generative Syntax course. Rather than reading textbooks on syntactic analysis and doing exercises to apply what was read, students embark on a nine-stage learning cycle consisting of interactive, guided, and independent work. They engage with problem sets to build their own analyses of syntactic phenomena step by step. This method—meant to resemble the work of real-life scientists—allows students to hypothesize, experiment, and build knowledge from trial and error (Kolb 1984, Prince 2004). To measure the effectiveness of our pedagogy, we analyzed course evaluations submitted from 2012 to the present. Learner feedback shows that they find the assignments and activities helpful, that the course challenges them to think and learn, and that they consider the weekly write-ups demanding, yet highly beneficial for their learning.

АДАМДЫН ФИЗИОЛОГИЯЛЫК АБАЛЫН, ЭМОЦИЯСЫН ТУЮНДУРГАН ЭТИШТИК АНТОНИМДЕР (А.Жакыпбековдун чыгармаларынын негизинде)

In the realm of general linguistics, groups of words signifying various scenarios of object and phenomenon interactions, verbs, exhibit a greater morphological complexity compared to word families. They constitute a substantial portion of a language's vocabulary. Our aforementioned article yields the same conclusion. Specifically, when investigating antonyms within the artistic language of the esteemed writer A. Dzhakypbekov, verbal antonyms were found to be prevalent. The content of our scholarly work encompasses antonymous verbs that convey shifts in the emotional experiences of the characters in the work (including weeping, laughter, joy, sadness, positive and negative emotions, etc.), as well as diverse situations pertaining to their physiological state, movements, and actions involving the human body and its organs. Examples related to this word category were scrutinized in terms of morphological composition, antonym formation methods, and classification.