Role And Reference Grammar Research Articles

Language Impairment in English-Speaking Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease: A Role and Reference Grammar Contribution

The linguistic aspects of Alzheimer’s disease have received much less attention from qualitative viewpoints than from quantitative research perspectives. For this reason, the present article proposes the application of the linking algorithm provided by Role and Reference Grammar (RRG) to a corpus from English-speaking patients with Alzheimer’s, namely the Pitt corpus. A sample of verb predicates from this corpus has been analyzed according to the steps provided by the grammar. Thus, the aims of this article are, on the one hand, to identify and describe the linguistic deficits found in the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease and, on the other, to show the feasibility of this grammar in the description and possible early diagnosis of this neuro-degenerative disease. The results manifest a greater proportion of simple sentences with respect to coordinate, cosubordinate and subordinate sentences, as well as compensation strategies and problems with lexical retrieval.

Reflections on the study of language

Abstract This article reports an interview with Robert D. Van Valin, Jr., which was held on March 2, 2023, with follow-up e-mail exchanges. Robert Van Valin is the primary developer of Role and Reference Grammar (RRG), a syntactic theory whose principles and commitments intersect with those of Cognitive Linguistics (CL). The article discusses RRG vis-à-vis CL and other approaches to the study of language. It aims to raise awareness about the shared principles of RRG and CL, to enhance cross-fertilization between the two approaches and ultimately inspire new research directions in linguistic theory. The paper is organized into three main parts: (i) background information on the birth and development of RRG, (ii) general principles and commitments of RRG and CL, and (iii) specific issues in the study of language.

The semantics of clause linkage: analysis of the finite complex complementation types in the English complain verbs

This article engages with the semantics of complex finite syntactic linkages of the complain verbs in English, as in Levin (1993). Since these verbs display two main types of complex complementation patterns, this research explains how semantics motivates and predicts to a great extent the clause linkage process through the Interclausal Relations Hierarchy, the Interclausal Semantics Relation Hierarchy, and the Syntactic Interclausal Relations Hierarchy, within the Role and Reference Grammar (RRG) framework. RRG’s solid proposal is employed in this research for the systematization of the syntax-semantics interface of these verbs, drawing two main conclusions. Firstly, the results accommodate and respect the rationale of the Iconicity Principle governing the hierarchy: the closer the semantic bond (indirect discourse > direct discourse), the tighter the syntactic link (clausal subordination (daughter) > sentential subordination (daughter)). And secondly, I argue in favor that sentential subordination (daughter) is the kind of syntactic link prompted by the direct discourse semantic relation, as this has not been fully dealt with within this theory of grammar.

Directional verb constructions in Mandarin

Abstract In modern Chinese, a Directional Verb Construction (DVC) may contain either two or three verbs. DVCs with two verbs can be represented in three different ways, and DVCs with three verbs can be represented in four different ways. The different positions of the shared internal noun phrase (NP) argument result in divergent word orders of DVCs. Based on the Corpus of the United Daily News, this study discusses the syntax-pragmatic interface in Chinese DVCs within the framework of Role and Reference Grammar (RRG) with the intention of ascertaining how NP arguments are linked to syntax in DVCs, while at the same time accounting for what pragmatic factors play a role in determining constructional schemas for argument linking. The results show that different patterns of DVCs have different focus domains, and that the differential activation state of the internal NP argument plays an essential role in determining word order. Considering the correlation between activation state and focus domain, a highly activated internal NP tends to be linked to the position following the word bǎ or immediately following V1. In contrast, a least activated NP tends to be linked to the position immediately following V2 or V3.

Natural language processing-driven framework for the early detection of language and cognitive decline

Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology has the potential to provide a non-invasive, cost-effective method using a timely intervention for detecting early-stage language and cognitive decline in individuals concerned about their memory. The proposed pre-screening language and cognition assessment model (PST-LCAM) is based on the functional linguistic model Role and Reference Grammar (RRG) to analyse and represent the structure and meaning of utterances, via a set of language production and cognition parameters. The model is trained on a DementiaBank dataset with markers of cognitive decline aligned to the global deterioration scale (GDS). A hybrid approach of qualitative linguistic analysis and assessment is applied, which includes the mapping of participants´ tasks of speech utterances and words to RRG phenomena. It uses a metric-based scoring with resulting quantitative scores and qualitative indicators as pre-screening results. This model is to be deployed in a user-centred conversational assessment platform.

Ra-centric constructions at Persian left-periphery: an RRG account

AbstractRa-marking in Persian has been a hotly debated topic over five decades. The postposition is primarily a definite marker of accusative objects in Standard Persian. However, the possibility for it to accompany indefinite accusative objects has paved the way for the emergence of further accounts such asrabeing a marker of specificity, topicality, or identifiability. In colloquial Persian, the postposition also appears in displacement constructions where it marks clause-external possessors or obliques serving as so-called topics. In this paper, we argue thatra-marking is not unique to topical DOs and displaced NPs. Ara-marked NP also partakes in the constitution of focus structure while the postposition is taken to be an identifiability marker. We situate our account within a Role and Reference Grammar (RRG) framework to delineate thatra-marking at the Persian left-periphery is an example par excellence of the (mis)match between identifiability as a discourse-based concept and the pragmatic functions that thera-marked displaced NPs serve in information structure. It becomes clear that a displaced NP legitimately plays an array of information-structural roles varying from a primary and secondary topic to a contrastive focus.

Exploring the imperative of linguistic plurality for sustainable development in nigeria

Linguistic plurality is a situation in which a speech community speaks more than one language. It is a complex sociolinguistic phenomenon that helps explain the complexity of human nature. Human beings cannot exist in isolation and are therefore inclined towards interaction and transaction. The need and desire to interact leads to language contact, where two or more languages co-exist and are constantly used by people who share definitive interests. Linguistic homogeneity is illusory, since there is hardly any linguistic community that is absolutely monolingual. Despite the complexity of linguistic diversity, the world has recorded tremendous developments in the arts, sciences, and technology. This highlights the strength that lies in diversity. The utilitarian nature of multilingualism can be explored for the growth and development of human society, as language is a key factor in development. Although multilingualism might pose a threat to nationalism, it is apparently the basis of nationhood in Nigeria, having existed even before colonization. The purpose of this paper is to explore the importance of linguistic plurality for sustainable development. This study uses a descriptive and qualitative methodology, heavily relying on the nativist theory and the framework of Role and Reference Grammar (RRG) as its major underpinnings. Drawing from these frameworks, the paper observes that language acquisition occurs naturally with the presence of the Language Acquisition Device (LAD), and consequently, languages are used to perform functional roles. The scope of this work is limited to multilingualism and sustainable development in Africa, with particular emphasis on Nigeria.

A Role and Reference Grammar Account of Adjuncts in the Airbus Corpus: A Quantitative-Based Study

This paper presents the results of a quantitative study of adjuncts in the Airbus corpus carried out within the theoretical framework of Role and Reference Grammar (RRG). We describe the positional behaviour of these peripheral constituents in the Layered Structure of the Clause and postulate scales of positional and peripheral preferences, based on frequency distribution, in the Airbus controlled natural language (CNL). The results obtained were compared with a previous study on adjunct preferences and positions in Natural English to check for changes in these scales due to the nature of the texts written in this CNL. We also aim to contribute to the development of the RRG analysis of adverbials by offering a detailed semantic typology and a description of the syntax of these peripheral constituents grounded in empirical and quantitatively based data that will serve as a basis for the parsing of adverbials in the computational processing of CNLs.

Fungsi, Kategori, dan Peran Sintaksis Menggunakan Teori RRG dalam Acara “Indonesia Lowyers Club”

The predicate is a determining element in a sentence. Sentences that are not clearly structured, result in the sentence being ineffective. This of course results in incomplete functions, categories, and roles in a sentence, making it difficult to understand. The purpose of this research is to describe functions, categories, and syntactic roles using the theory of Role and Reference Grammar (RRG) in the "Indonesia Lowyers Club" event. Distribution method is the main method used to analyze data. Before the data is selected based on its use, the data is recorded first. Furthermore, the data that has been collected is selected based on the needs of the indicators that have been set. The results of the research show that the function in syntax is filled by the components of subject, nucleus (core/predicate), object, and periphery (additional information). Categories in syntax are filled by components of nominal phrases (nouns), verbs (verbs), pronouns (pronouns), adjectives (adjectives), adverbs (adverbs), and clauses. The role in syntax is filled by the component agent (actor), predicate or nucleus indicating activity, and undergoer (patient/object).

Assignment of Macroroles to the Double Objects of Verbs of Transferring: A Role and Reference Grammar Perspective

Ditransitive verbs that have two objects can be challenging when analyzed from the perspective of universal theories like Role and Reference Grammar (RRG) because each language deals with them in a different way. That is, each language has its own way to classify these verbs. This leads to some differences in the semantic role that each element performs in the sentence. RRG assumes two main macroroles for arguments in the clause: actor and undergoer. Therefore, the second object of a ditransitive verb is given the role of “non-macrorole direct core argument.” Haspelmath (2008) argues that two macroroles may not be enough to cover the cross-linguistic variations. Therefore, he suggests two additional macroroles. This paper, then, tackles the issue of role assignment in English and Arabic double-object constructions (DOCs) in the light of RRG taking into consideration Haspelmath’s suggestion. A limitation is made in this concern; it will be with ditransitive verbs that encode the action of receiving. It was concluded that the third argument of ditransitive verbs may not receive a non-macrorole direct core argument as the theory assumes, but can receive new roles that express the nature of the relationship between these arguments and their verbs.

The layered structure of the clause in English and Arabic ditransitive verbs: A Role and Reference Grammar Perspective

This paper presents the syntactic dimension of ditransitive verbs in terms of the universal theory of Role and Reference Grammar (RRG). This theory is syntactic in nature, but it also covers the semantic as well as the pragmatic aspects of any linguistic phenomenon. It assumes a universal framework through which syntactic constructions can be analyzed. However, the morphological structure that each language enjoys renders the universal treatment more complicated and can question the universal nature of such a theory. In this paper, an attempt is made to check if the universal tenet of the theory is maintained over two typologically different languages: English and Arabic in respect of the way that double-object constructions (DOCs) are represented in the theory. A limitation is made to answer these questions: does the rich morphological nature of Arabic affect the universality of RRG in so far as Layered Structure of the Clause (LSC) is concerned? and; where and how does the information about tense is represented in both languages? The results show that this theory is indeed universal when it deals with a syntactic phenomenon like DOCs and that a separate projection is dedicated to represent some related information about the clause and this is concluded from the analysis of the selected data.

Extraposed relative clauses in Role and Reference Grammar. An analysis using Tree Wrapping Grammars

This paper proposes an analysis of extraposed relative clauses in the framework of Role and Reference Grammar (RRG), adopting its formalization as a tree rewriting grammar, specifically as a Tree Wrapping Grammar (TWG). Extraposed relative clauses are a puzzle since the link to the antecedent noun can be rather non-local but it seems nevertheless appropriate to model it as a syntactic dependency and not a purely anaphoric relation. Moreover, certain types of determiners require their NP to be modified by a (possibly extraposed) relative clause, and any comprehensive framework should account for this. We show that the tree wrapping operation of TWG, which is conventionally used to fill argument slots out of which some elements have been extracted, can be used to model extraposed relative clauses. The analysis accounts for the non-locality of the phenomenon while capturing the link to the antecedent NP in a local way (i.e., within a single elementary tree).

ARTEMIS: parsing non-peripheral complex sentences in ASD-STE100

The simulation of natural language understanding is one of the main objectives of natural language processing (NLP). Within the different applications designed for this purpose, the ARTEMIS prototype follows the paradigm of unification grammars, and unlike other trending computational resources, it is theoretically grounded in Role and Reference Grammar (RRG). The syntax-to-semantics linking algorithm proposed in this functional grammar lies at the basis of a parsing process that starts with a natural language sentence, extracts its morphosyntactic features and provides a representation of these in terms of the so-called layered structure of the clause (LSC). The Grammar Development Environment (GDE) in ARTEMIS is a major component where feature- based production rules (syntactic, lexical and constructional) are stored and ready to allow the generation of the enhanced layered structure of the clause of natural language expressions. Syntactic rules that account for phrasal constituents and simple sentences have already been described, but it is now turn to focus on the study of non-peripheral complex sentences. In an attempt to validate these syntactic rules and to avoid some of the common problems that may arise in parsing applications, our research will concentrate on the analysis of RRG’s juncture-nexus combinations as found in a controlled natural language (CNL) such as ASD-STE100 (Aerospace and Defence Simplified Technical English).

Special Nature of Verbs in Sign Languages

This paper is concerned with the special nature of Sign Language verbs, in particular to this research, Irish Sign Language (ISL) verbs. We use Role and Reference Grammar (RRG) (Van Valin 2005) to provide a definition of the structure of lexical entries that are sufficiently rich and universal in nature to represent ISL verbs. This work is part of research work in the development of a linguistically motivated computational framework for ISL. We use RRG (Van Valin and LaPolla 1997) as the theoretical framework of this study. RRG takes language to be a system of communicative social action, and accordingly, analysing the communicative functions of grammatical structures plays a vital role in grammatical description and theory from this perspective (Van Valin 2005). Using RRG provides significant theoretical and technical challenges within both RRG and software.
 We provide an account of the morphological and grammatical information that can be found within ISL verbs. We use the Signs of Ireland corpus (SOI) to access the relevant linguistic data pertinent to ISL (Leeson et al, 2006). Further to this we use ELAN software as an application tool, which allows us to view the corpus and collate relevant linguistic phenomena pertinent to ISL. We utilise the Event Visibility Hypothesis (EVH) (Wilbur 2008) in the development of our proposed lexicon architecture. We refer to Articulatory Structure Level (Murtagh 2018) in the development of a linguistically motivated computational definition of lexicon entries that are sufficiently robust in nature to represent ISL verbs within the RRG lexicon. We utilise this new level of lexical representation (Pustejovsky 1995), which describes the essential (computational) phonological parameters of an object as defined by the lexical item to cater specifically for the computational linguistic phenomena consistent with signed languages, in particular to this research ISL, enabling us to provide an adequate account of ISL verbs within the RRG lexicon.

Conceptualización de entidades terminológicas en una subontología de derecho penal: análisis del concepto superordinado +DRUG_00 en FunGramKb

<p>This article describes some phases in the process of constructing a term-based Satellite Ontology within the architecture of the Core Ontology integrated in FunGramKB (a lexico-conceptual knowledge base for the computational processing of natural language). The semantic decomposition of complex terminology is implemented following the COHERENT methodology (a stepwise method for formalizing specialized concepts). For that purpose, we have selected the superordinate concept +DRUG_00 as well as other subordinate concepts in the domain of drugs such as $METHAMPHETAMINE_00, $CANNABIS_00, and $COCAINE_00. The definitions of the concepts selected for the study are based on COREL, an interface metalanguage inspired on some general principles of Role and Reference Grammar (RRG). As a result of the modeling, subsumption and hierarchization process the top conceptual path is represented in the Satellite Ontology as follows: #ENTITY > #PHYSICAL > #OBJECT > SELF_CONNECTED_OBJECT > +ARTIFICIAL_OBJECT_00 > +SUBSTANCE_00 > +SOLID_00> +DRUG_00.</p>

The lexical representation of English verbs of action. Complex predicates and structures

<p>This article aims at proposing a lexical representation for a set of English verbs of action. The analysis is carried out on the grounds of Role and Reference Grammar (RRG) and includes aspects like <em>Aktionsart </em>type, macrorole and syntactic function assignment, linking, as well as nexus and juncture. Against this background, the meaning components of the verbs in question are analysed, in such a way that a logical structure based on a lexical representation is defined for each verbal class. Conclusions fall on both the descriptive and the theoretical side. From the descriptive point of view, <em>Fail </em>and <em>Try </em>verbs constitute a unified verbal class as regards their meaning components and grammatical behaviour and, thus, they are represented by means of a unified logical structure. Conversely, <em>Prevent </em>verbs and <em>Forbid </em>verbs require different logical structures that account for their divergent grammatical behaviour, corresponding to the Causative Activity and Causative Achievement <em>Aktionsart </em>types respectively. On the theoretical side, the logical structures of <em>End </em>verbs, <em>Fail </em>verbs, <em>Try </em>verbs and <em>Prevent </em>verbs stick to the canonical representations of RRG, while those of <em>Hinder </em>verbs and <em>Refrain </em>verbs require complex predicates and complex logical structures which allow to incorporate extra meaning components and to combine different <em>Aktionsart </em>types.</p>

An Evaluation Of A Linguistically Motivated Conversational Software Agent Framework

<p>This paper presents a critical evaluation framework for a linguistically motivated conversational software agent (CSA). The CSA prototype investigates the integration, intersection and interface of the language, knowledge, and speech act constructions (SAC) based on a grammatical object, and the sub-model of belief, desires and intention (BDI) and dialogue management (DM) for natural language processing (NLP). A long-standing issue within NLP CSA systems is refining the accuracy of interpretation to provide realistic dialogue to support human-to-computer communication. This prototype constitutes three phase models: (1) a linguistic model based on a functional linguistic theory – Role and Reference Grammar (RRG), (2) an Agent Cognitive Model with two inner models: (a) a knowledge representation model, (b) a planning model underpinned by BDI concepts, intentionality and rational interaction, and (3) a dialogue model. The evaluation strategy for this Java-based prototype is multi-approach driven by grammatical testing (English language utterances), software engineering and agent practice. A set of evaluation criteria are grouped per phase model, and the testing framework aims to test the interface, intersection and integration of all phase models. The empirical evaluations demonstrate that the CSA is a proof-of-concept, demonstrating RRG’s fitness for purpose for describing, and explaining phenomena, language processing and knowledge, and computational adequacy. Contrastingly, evaluations identify the complexity of lower level computational mappings of NL – agent to ontology with semantic gaps, and further addressed by a lexical bridging solution.</p>

The interaction of parsing rules and argument – Predicate constructions: implications for the structure of the Grammaticon in FunGramKB

The Functional Grammar Knowledge Base (FunGramKB), (Perinan-Pascual and Arcas-Tunez 2010) is a multipurpose lexico-conceptual knowledge base designed to be used in different Natural Language Processing (NLP) tasks. It is complemented with the ARTEMIS (Automatically Representing Text Meaning via an Interlingua–based System) application, a parsing device linguistically grounded on Role and Reference Grammar (RRG) that transduces natural language fragments into their corresponding grammatical and semantic structures. This paper unveils the different phases involved in its parsing routine, paying special attention to the treatment of argumental constructions. As an illustrative case, we will follow all the steps necessary to effectively parse a For-Benefactive structure within ARTEMIS. This methodology will reveal the necessity to distinguish between Kernel constructs and L1-constructions, since the latter involve a modification of the lexical template of the verb. Our definition of L1-constructions leads to the reorganization of the catalogue of FunGramKB L1-constructions, formerly based on Levin’s (1993) alternations. Accordingly, a rearrangement of the internal configuration of the L1-Constructicon within the Grammaticon is proposed.

Enhancing a Role and Reference Grammar approach to English motion constructions in a Natural Language Processing environment

This paper puts forward a finer-grained computational treatment of the English caused-motion construction (e.g. He kicked the ball into the net) within a knowledge base for natural language processing systems called FunGramKB. This computational project is largely based on Role and Reference Grammar (RRG), which is a functional projectionist theory of language. We argue that the RRG-based characterization of the caused-motion construction in FunGramKB is insufficient to account for the semantic and syntactic complexity of realizations such as He walked the dog to the park, I will show you out, or Mac flew Continental to Bush International Airport. Thus, drawing on insights from Constructions Grammars, three minimally distinct transitive motion sub-constructions are formalized within FunGramKB. It is through the inclusion of additional constructional schemas that the machine will be able to capture the various ways in which verbs and constructions interact to yield different input texts.

ARTEMIS: State of the Art and Future Horizons

The syntactic parser ARTEMIS (Automatically Representing Text Meaning via an Interlingua-based System) is a prototype intended to process natural language within the environment of the Functional Grammar Knowledge Base (FunGramKB) (Perinan-Pascual & Arcas-Tunez, 2010). Different from other parsing devices, ARTEMIS is grounded on two functional linguistic models: Role and Reference Grammar (RRG) (Van Valin & La Polla, 1997; Van Valin, 2005) and the Lexical Constructional Model (LCM) (Ruiz de Mendoza & Mairal Uson, 2008). However, certain adjustments have to be made to both models in order to meet the requirements derived from the fact that ARTEMIS follows the paradigm of Unification Grammars, in such a way that to comply with this paradigm, the GDE (Grammar Development Environment) within ARTEMIS needs to integrate two types of constructs: a catalogue of Attribute-Value Matrixes (AVMs) to describe grammatical units, and a set of production rules (grammatical, lexical and constructional) to allow it to produce a feature based grammar. It is the aim of this paper to give an overview of the investigation carried out so far within ARTEMIS in relation to these two aspects. We will do so by revisiting the literature in relation to the adjustments made to the linguistic models, especially to the RRG, and by reviewing the efforts made to describe the units and design the rules necessary for the parsing of simple sentences in English. Our paper will conclude by pointing at prospective research needed for the completion of this project.