Infinitive Construction Research Articles

Определение в абазинском языке: средства выражения и грамматическая связь с членами предложения

The aim of the research is to determine the primary means by which the least studied member of the sentence, the attribute, is expressed in the modern Abaza language and to identify its syntactic position both within the sentence structure and in the attributive complex. The article analyzes all parts of speech in the Abaza language, as well as a large corpus of phrases and various syntactic constructions extracted from samples of Abaza aphoristic poetry, oral folk art, fiction, and field materials collected by the authors in order to determine the frequency of the attribute in the syntactic position. The research is novel in that it is the first one to determine the following: a) the group of means of attribute expression that have the highest frequency (noun, participle, infinite constructions); b) the adjective, which, as an independent part of speech, is not used in the syntactic position of the attribute, despite the attributive nature of its semantics; c) the order of words expressing the attribute and the attribute head, and their syntactic connection.

Clausal Postpositioning in German Regional Language

This article presents the results of a corpus study of clausal postpositioning, that is, the occurrence of a sentential constituent in the postfield of the matrix clause to which it is syntactically linked, in German regional language. Analysis of 11,027 clauses from 60 spoken regiolect and dialect texts reveals that clausal postpositionings occur most frequently as non-relative finite clauses, followed by relative clauses, and lastly, infinitival constructions. Notably, while non-relative finite clauses comprise a smaller proportion of postpositionings in regiolect compared to dialect, relative clauses and infinitival constructions show the opposite trend. Adjunct clauses occur most frequently, followed by complement clauses, in both regiolect and dialect. Furthermore, in both varieties, postpositioning is more prevalent in verb-first and verb-second clauses than in verb-final clauses. This finding is attributed to restrictions on syntactic subordination. Finally, non-relative finite clause and relative clause types that may be embedded in both the postfield and inner field are center-embedded at mean relative frequencies of 13.42% and 28.17%, respectively. These findings shed light on contradictory claims in the literature regarding the possibility and frequency of clausal embedding in the inner field.

Inchoativity and mirativity in Italo-Romance and Balkan Slavic verbal periphrases.

This paper investigates the properties of GO and TAKE used as functional verbs to express the beginning of an action or a state (inchoativity) or a sense of surprise, wonder, astonishment, or regret (mirativity) as found in a group of multiple verb constructions, in a macro-comparative perspective. Multiple Agreement Constructions (V1+mi/mu/da/če+V2[+finite]) and Pseudo-Coordination (V1+‘and’+V2[+finite]) are considered in Italo-Romance (Italian and Sicilian) and Balkan Slavic (Bulgarian), together with the Italo-Romance Infinitival Construction (V1+a+V2[-finite]), drawing from novel fieldwork data and online corpus data. GO and TAKE generally proved to be highly productive as both inchoative and mirative markers in all the languages considered. In particular, an analysis of cases in which these two functional verbs convey (to different degrees) both functions at once is provided, relying on the cognitive basis underlying the process of their grammaticalisation.

Interpretation of possessive pronouns in Czech infinitive constructions

Interpretation of possessive pronouns in Czech infinitive constructions

Exkurs zur Analyse der Korrelat konstruktionen

The main idea that led me to write such research paper within the framework of Germanic linguistics is that I have not found any topic dealing with the term correlate in the German language, except in several articles in linguistic journals as well as one topic in a book describing the use of such a linguistic phenomenon in the language system. The research initially deals with the definition of the correlate at the level of the German language system. Correlate is unity describes specific relation of two sentences and identifies denoted constructs. Correlate is called a placeholder at the syntactic level because it does not occupy its original topological fields in the syntactic structure. The correlate (es) or the prepositional adverbs or adverbs can occur in the matrix clause, it is the second feature. The third categorical feature of the correlate is morphological, in that the correlate is inflexible and the last feature shows that the correlate does not confer case features on its syntactic environment, where the correlate possesses the matrix clause. The correlate can appear as the first part of the complex connector in the subordinate clause or the infinitive construction. The last feature refers to the fact that the correlate construction can be attributive in the complex sentence, whereby the sentence structure, which is the constituent of attributively formed correlate specifiers, is embedded. The research presents the conceptual content of the linguistic expression described by the correlate, functioning as a pro-element in the major premise and considered as a dentate. It is a matter of denotation of the correlate and deictic expressions. Furthermore, the present research sheds light on the obligatory and optional use of the correlate constructions in the German sentence. In German there are correlates when using certain verbs. In addition, certain linguistic constructions or expressions require correlates of both particles and prepositional adverbs. The reasons for this are contextual and communicative aspects. In relation to the contextual-communicative aspects such as verbs affect the connection with the correlate. She signals the connection through the grade particles. Compared to other verbs, the use of the correlate (es) is reduced. The reason for this is the appearance of degree particles as well, even, at most, only, only. This can be the case if the grading of the text passage does not focus on the extreme predicate, but rather on the infinitive construction or the subordinate clause. This was studied at work. Then it was examined how the correlate constructions occur with certain subjunctives by dividing them into two forms, namely attributive correlate constructions and left displacement constructions. If the correlate occurs before the subjunctive phrase, it is called an attributive correlate construction. This form is also called a correlate specifier. The subjunctive phrase has the function of being an attribute for the correlate. They can be directly followed by the correlate, whereby it is possible that the correlate alone carries the main clause after deducting the so-called phrase.

Thoughts on Plautine Style, with Special Reference to Archaism and Colloquialism

This article discusses style in Plautus. In order to do so objectively, we need to look at distribution patterns; a phenomenon can be considered poetic or colloquial if (a) it is restricted to poetry or comedy, (b) a parallel corpus of the same time period has an equivalent expression, and (c) this distribution is statistically significant. The main problem with applying such an approach to Plautus is that he makes up 60% of early Latin (with Terence giving us another 15%); other texts are not always suitable for comparison: inscriptions may be short, highly formal, or hard to date, Cato’s work on agriculture is extremely technical, and fragments of early drama are often quoted by grammarians who are more interested in what is possible than in what is normal. However, we can compare Plautus with Plautus, insofar as we can compare different stock characters, different metres, or different sub-genres within comedy.Loss of final –s and iambic shortening seem to more common in colloquial passages, with a preponderance in iambic lines, a smaller number in long verses, and the smallest number in polymetric song. Within morphology, subjunctives of the type siem and mediopassive infinitives ending in –ier are strongly preferred at line end, out of metrical convenience; they are already archaic in Plautus, but still employed so frequently that not every individual instance is stylistically significant. Pronominal accusative and ablative forms like med and ted are also already old-fashioned and used mostly for metrical reasons; they, too, occur so commonly that not every instance is significant. Other morphological features look archaic from a classical perspective, but are still normal in Plautus; this is the case for the second-person medio-passive ending –re and the fourth-conjugation imperfect in –ibam. Genitive plural forms of the second declension mostly end in –orum; the older –um is largely restricted to fixed collocations, which are presumably stylistically unmarked.On the other hand, disyllabic genitive endings of the first declension (type familiai) were already archaic in Plautus’ day; they are rare and thus always used for stylistic effect. Within syntax, not all features that have traditionally been described as colloquial really do form part of a lower register. The ellipsis of subject accusatives in the accusative-and infinitive construction is driven by pragmatic and morphosyntactic factors rather than by stylistic considerations. Sentence length and complexity is lower in Plautus than in classical prose, but this is a feature of spoken language rather than of lower register. And finally, outside some common collocations, the ablative absolute is restricted to specific high-register contexts, such as prayers or battle reports.When Plautus wants to be colloquial, he can use features from phonology to syntax, but when he wants to sound archaic, he limits himself to morphology (and lexical features). This should not come as a surprise: Plautus had access to colloquial language on a daily basis, but would encounter archaic texts mostly in written form; here, morphological and lexical features are the ones which are most noticeable and easiest to imitate.

Budding the tree. Towards a theory of structure removal

This paper presents a theory of structure removal based on the operation of Bud. Bud is defined as a variant of External Merge. While External Merge always targets the root of a syntactic object, Bud targets a lower projection. The operation is constrained by minimality and is used to provide a novel account to analytic passive, causative constructions in Italian and infinitival constructions like raising predicates. It also offers an elegant way to account for structure pruning in cases of language disorder, root infinitives in child speech and preference for passive plus subject relativization over object relative clauses.

Linguistic Means of Expressing Epistemic Modality in an English-language Scientific Text

Modality is a complex grammatical and functional-semantic category which is reflected in various types of discourse. The relevance of studying epistemic modality, reflecting the author’s knowledge of the reported information and his/her attitude to it from the point of view of its reliability, is determined by the necessity to analyze the linguistic features of its expression in a scientific text. The aim of the paper is to study morphological, lexical-syntactical and lexical means of expressing modality and to identify their pragmatic functions in English-language texts concerned with engineering. The study of the linguistic component in a scientific text will help foreign researchers present their scientific works in accordance with the authentic features of English. This determines the theoretical significance of studying the author’s means of expressing epistemic modality as a method for reasoning their scientific propositions, interacting with the target reader and expressing academic responsibility. The study of theoretical works by foreign and Russian scientists has shown that epistemic modality of a scientific text implements mainly the properties of the author’s subjective approach. However, unlike other types of discourse, the modality of a scientific text identifies a certain degree of objectivity in the author’s approach since it is characterized by the assessment of the reported information in terms of its reliability/unreliability. The given study assumes that the category of modality of any text, including a scientific one, is difficult to analyze statistically. It is known that the expression of the English text modality is characterized by imperceptible “transitions” between different levels of its implementation. Therefore, the paper considers some linguistic means at the morphological, lexical-syntactical and lexical levels. They include the verbal category of the imperative, subjunctive and presumptive types of mood, infinitive constructions, modal verbs and modal words of various parts of speech with the seme “expectation/assumption”. The article underlines an additional pragmatic aspect of modality means in an English-language scientific text concerned with the need for soft persuasion of the professional community to accept the information presented.

FUNCTIONAL PARADIGM OF NON-FINITE CLAUSES WITH A NON-FINITE WHICH IS PART OF A PREDICATIVE CONSTRUCTION (ON THE MATERIAL OF ENGLISH ONLINE NEWSPAPER ARTICLES)

The article homes in on establishing the functional paradigm of non-finite clauses in Modern English. The data for the research has been drawn from English online newspaper articles the Evening Standard, the Guardian, the Times. The research corpus comprises 254 non-finite clauses per 976 thousand words from the texts under analysis. The novelty of this investigation lies in the fact that it views non-finite clauses in the functional aspect with a non-finite as part of a predicative construction. Non-finite clauses are a concise means of expressing thoughts and being such they can make the idea get manifested in a shorter but more attractive way. The use of non-finites demands a more sophisticated kowledge of language and more cognitive effort for perception and interpretation. This last statement may explain the reason why newspaper register abounds in non-finites while informal English does not. As the result of the analysis there have been established the functions performed by (a) the infinitive clauses with the infinitive as a secondary predicate in the subjective predicative construction, the objective predicative construction, the for-to-infinitive construction and the absolute with the infinitive construction; (b) the ing-clauses with the present / perfect participle and the gerund as a secondary predicate of the objective / subjective / prepositional absolute with the participle construction and of the gerundial predicative construction correspondingly; (c) the ed-clauses with the past participle as a secondary predicate of the objective / subjective / prepositional absolute with the participle construction.

A functional typology of Dutch insubordinate infinitives

This paper aims to offer a typology of Dutch insubordinate infinitives, which, following Evans’s (2007) definition of insubordination, are defined as ‘the main clause use’ of infinitival constructions. The main objectives of this paper are to provide a pragmatic analysis of these constructions in Dutch and, through cross-linguistic comparison, investigate whether their attested pragmatic functions correspond to the pragmatic functions of (a) insubordinate constructions in general and (b) insubordinate infinitives in particular. This is done on the basis of a corpus study, examining a sample of independent infinitival constructions attested in the Corpus of Spoken Dutch (CGN). Ultimately, three primary functions are distinguished for Dutch insubordinate infinitives that align with different types of insubordinate constructions attested cross-linguistically: they can be employed for (i) discursive strategies, (ii) interpersonal control, and (iii) evaluation and exclamation. In addition, through processes of insubordination and idiomatization a new type of output is created in which the insubordinate infinitival constructions behave as discourse markers. In adopting a language-specific, corpus-based approach, this study provides a first systematic and comprehensive functional typology of insubordinate infinitival constructions in Dutch. At the same time, it contributes to the ongoing theoretical debate on the functional load of insubordinate constructions.

Dependent clauses and focus particle in Kakabe

The paper deals with the syntax of focalization in Kakabe (Mokole < Western Mande). By default, the argument focus is marked by a specialized particle lè following the focused constituent which remains in situ. To mark the sentence focus, lè usually follows the subject. lè cannot appear inside adverbial and relative subordinate clauses, in infinitive constructions; it cannot follow most of adverbial expressions. At the same time, it can be hosted by adverbs and postpositional phrases of time, manner and place.

KONTRASTIVNA ANALIZA IMENICA SA DIREKTNIM EPISTEMIČKIM ZNAČENjEM U NOVINSKIM IZVJEŠTAJIMA NA SRPSKOM I NjEMAČKOM JEZIKU

The subject matter of this paper is nouns with direct epistemic meaning in newspaper reports in German and Serbian. The journalist uses the mentioned nouns in both languages with two manipulative goals: a) to convince the recipient that the propositional content corre- sponds to the truth, and b) to distance himself from the propositional content. While nouns with direct epistemic meaning have a high frequency in both languages, nouns with semantic meaning of uncertainty about the truth of propositional content are far more widely used, given the function of newspaper reports and the frequent need to present subjective, unveri- fied information, about which no final position is given in terms of truthfulness and authen- ticity of propositional content. The journalist leaves it to the recipient to form a final opinion based on the information available to him or her and presents the propositional content as possible/probable. The biggest differences are noticeable in syntax and in the realization of the propositional content on which opinions are expressed. Unlike Serbian, where the propo- sitional content appears exclusively in the form of a da-sentence, the propositional content in German is realized in various forms, such as dass-/ob- sentences, zu+infinitive constructions, and unintroduced subordinate clauses.

НАВЧАННЯ СТУДЕНТІВ-ГЕРМАНІСТІВ ГРАМАТИКИ НІМЕЦЬКОЇ МОВИ (ІНФІНІТИВНИХ КОНСТРУКЦІЙ) ЗА ТЕХНОЛОГІЄЮ "ПЕРЕВЕРНУТИЙ КЛАС"

Background. The mastery of grammar is a crucial aspect of the communicative competence of German Philology students. Therefore, there is a pressing need to identify efficient grammar teaching methodologies. One such approach is the "Flipped Class" technology that employs a combination of interactive classes and selfdirected learning to enhance students' grammar proficiency in speaking and listening. This approach also fosters students' independence and critical thinking abilities, as they are required to not only do grammar exercises but also plan educational activities, search for relevant literature, and assess their own educational progress. Purpose of this study is to provide a theoretical basis for, develop, and test the effectiveness of the "Flipped Class" technology in building grammatical competence in German Philology students' speaking skills. Results and discussion. The "flipped class" technology for teaching German grammar optimizes and rationalizes the allocation of time between independent and classroom work while creating individual trajectories of acquiring grammar knowledge and skills. This technology enables students to improve their language grammar skills and speech grammar skills in listening during independent work, while primary grammar skills and language skills, as well as reproductive grammatical skills in speaking, are developed during the classroom session. In addition, it allows students to develop learning autonomy and reflection. The use of this technology involves eight stages, where students do sets of grammar exercises and tasks, as well as tasks for the application of educational tactics and reflection. The results of the approbation show that the level of grammatical knowledge and skills of most students who studied infinitive constructions using the above-mentioned technology was higher than their average level of success.

러시아어 "여격-동사원형" 구문(Dative-Infinitive-Constructions, DIC)에 나타나는 존재문(Existentials) 연구

This research examines the overall characteristics of the existential structures expressed by Dative+Infinitive Constructions (henceforth, DIC) including the compound negated form of ‘NÉ-+[Wh]-word+VINFINITIVE

Sind Sie noch bei der Arbeit oder schon am Arbeiten? Regionale Spielarten von Progressivität im Deutschen

Progressivity in German can be expressed not only by lexical means but also by various periphrastic structures, e. g. the am-periphrasis, the prepositions bei and in combined with nominalized infinitives or the periphrastic infinitival construction with the auxiliary verb tun. However, the use of these structures can vary considerably from region to region, especially in oral communication, often also in connection with significant diastratic, diaphasic and diamesic variation. This paper investigates native speaker judgments of different progressive markers in German (i. e. am-periphrasis, beim- and im-periphrases as well as tun-periphrasis) regarding their acceptability, use, familiarity and distribution in a particular geographical area or social group. The present study essentially focuses on regional differences between three distinct dialectal regions of the German-speaking area (Middle Bavarian, South Bavarian and Rhenish-Westphalian). Results indicate a tendency towards successive advancement of the am-peri-phrasis, even though the actual usage of this specific progressive construction still shows clear diatopic and diaphasic variation.

Grammaire et méthodes de FLE : enquête sur les constructions infinitives de perception

Through our observations of classroom practices, as didacticians and linguists, we note that infinitive constructions governed by a verb of perception (ICP) are only extremely rarely included in French as a Foreign Language teaching programmes. Yet, the perception of reality through the senses is one of the sociolinguistic objectives. In this case, unless we are inattentive, this is a notable gap in didactics that should be filled. We would propose to elucidate the specificities of the French ICP from a semantic-logical and cognitive perspectives.

THE WRITING STYLE IN TRAVEL BLOGS

This paper focuses on the writing style in travel blogs. Its aim is to research stylistic forms typical of travel blog entries and their contribution to the functions of the travel blog as a whole. In the theoretical part of the paper, we present the characteristic features of a travel blog and the language trends in the digital age. Travel blogs have been defined as digital media settings. Blogs were once defined as websites that included bloggers’ entries and were regularly updated. They were often compared to personal journals. Today blogs have a rather complex structure and they fulfil several functions: bloggers can use their writing to stand out from the crowd, to share their experiences, opinions, once-private thoughts, and even to create a source of income. As a result, blogs are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Furthermore, travel blogs fulfil a variety of functions: the self-portraying, informative, entertaining, evaluative, advertising, instructive, and communicative function. Bloggers want to inform their followers as well as they can, but because of todays flood of information on the web, they must be careful not to let their followers drown in information. Blogs are thus characterized by syntactic compression. In the travel blogs we have analyzed, this is achieved through various linguistic means, such as nominalizations, the usage of infinitival constructions, elisions, and the usage of passive structures. These means fulfil several functions at the same time: they both convey information and help the bloggers maintain the contact with their followers. Finally, it should be noted that the present stylistic analysis has been carried out on a sample of only three travel blogs; its results should therefore not be used as a basis for generalizations. To comprehensively describe and systematize the communicative and functional aspects of the travel blog format, a larger data set consisting of several travel blogs should be analysed. In the upcoming doctoral dissertation, we are going to focus on aspects of this media format which have been only briefly mentioned in the present paper. Among them are multimodal resources, mediality, the interaction between bloggers and readers, the effect of bloggers' network on the individual text modules, and the role of embedding other semiotic resources such as videos.

잠언 18:24의 번역 재고와 제안 ― 참된 우정에 관한 격언의 관점에서 ―

This paper revisits the translation of Proverbs 18:24 in the light of the sayings about true friendship. Proverbs 18:24 has been translated in various ways because of two words of the Masoretic text, that is, ‘אשׁ(’îš)’ and ‘להתרצצ(lĕhitro‘ēa‘)’.BR First, several bibles and commentaries construe אישׁ as a noun whose meaning is a man, translating it with the following word ‘רעים(re‘im)’ as a man of friends. They also consider the relation of אישׁ and רעים as the subjective genitive (a man who has friends) or the attributive genitive (a man who makes friends). However, this reading of אישׁ is neither grammatically correct nor contextually consistent. For this reason, the BHS apparatus suggests that אישׁ should be read as a particle ‘אשׁ(’iš)’ or ‘יש(yeš)’, which means there is. Such reading clearly makes the parallel between the first half and the second one through the same word יש or at least the same meaning, there is. Moreover, אשׁ or יש highlights the contrast between friends in the first half, and a friend in the second one.BR Second, some bibles and commentaries parse the word להתרעע as Hithpolel infinitive construct of Ⅱרעע whose meaning is to be beaten up. This reading results in the translation of the first half as follows: A man of friends comes to ruin or There are friends who ruin themselves. Yet, להתרעע gives rise to a weak opposition between to ruin in the first half and clinging to in the second one. Compared to the Masoretic reading of להתרעע, the BHS apparatus’s reading of ‘להתרעות(lĕhitrā‘ôt)’ is preferable to understand the meaning of the whole verse. Considering that להתרעע means to associate with, the verse draws a comparison between friends who want to associate with others and a friend who clings closer than his/her brother. Indeed, Proverbs 18:24 offers a lesson about true friendship in terms of being superior to kinship. Its emphasis on true friendship is also harmonious with other sayings about friendship in the book of Proverbs, especially focused on an association with wise friends, unconditional and selfless love, and a warning against disguised friendship.BR Therefore, this paper suggests the translation of Proverbs 18:24 as follows: There are friends who maintain superficial friendship, but there is a friend who clings closer than a brother.

Infinitives of affect and intersubjectivity: on the indexical interpretation of the Finnish independent infinitives

Abstract This article presents an analysis of the structure and use of the Finnish independent infinitives. Although typological studies have shown that syntactically independent non-finite constructions are widespread in many languages, the understanding of their semantic and intersubjective motivation is still in its early stages. The current paper aims to enrich the understanding of independent non-finite constructions by closely looking at free-standing infinitive constructions in spoken and written Finnish: it combines theoretical concepts of Cognitive Grammar with the methodological tools of Interactional Linguistics to explore the nature of independent infinitives as a resource for conceptualization and the intersubjective functions that it affords. The paper suggests that the fact that independent infinitives are grammatically ungrounded makes them useful in interactional and textual sequences involving affect display. As the indexical functions of infinitives can be explained from their own morphosyntactic and semantic characteristics, the paper makes the more general claim that there is no synchronic evidence that would support the assumption that such constructions ever evolved, via ellipsis, from finite constructions. Methodologically and theoretically, the paper advocates an approach that takes into account both the social and cognitive nature of language, and promotes the view that Cognitive Grammar offers a flexible, semantically rich starting point for the description of intersubjective meanings conveyed by grammar, when combined with the context-sensitive and microanalytical methodology of Interactional Linguistics.

Accusativus cum Infinitivo y otras construcciones de infinitivo latinizante: caracterización sintáctica y uso en la literatura erasmiana doctrinal del siglo XVI

Abstract This article addresses the most important syntactic issues related to the imitative constructions of Latin Accusativus cum Infinitivo in Renaissance Spanish. I opt to subsume this label coming from Latin syntax under the more encompassing denomination of Latinising Infinitive, which refers to the use of infinitive constructions directly or indirectly inspired by syntactic schemes typical of classical, medieval or Renaissance Latin literature. Finally, some cases of Latinising Infinitive in a corpus of doctrinal prose written by 16th-century Erasmist authors are considered. The analysis aims to account for the difficulties of delimitation of the Latinising Infinitive in translated and non-translated texts, as well as to show that, in the consideration of syntactic Latinism, it is only possible to operate on a gradual conception that explains the existence of Latinisms with a more or less marked variational status within the domain of communicative distance.