Theory Of Functional Discourse Grammar Research Articles

When English complement clauses meet evidential adverbs

There is much literature about the licensing of complement clauses by complement-taking predicates. However, less has been written about the licensing of adverbs in a complement clause. This article addresses the licensing of English evidential adverbs in complement clauses extracted from the NOW corpus. The article discusses three factors that determine the distribution of evidential adverbs in complement clauses. These are the nature of the evidential adverbs, the constraints of the complement clause and the anchor of the evidential adverb. To explore the role of these three factors, I adopt the hierarchical scopal theory of Functional Discourse Grammar (FDG). If a complement clause licenses the inclusion of the evidential adverb, then there is a match. Should there be no alignment between the complement clause and the adverb, there will be a mismatch. The results of the analysis of the data show that there are mostly matches, which occur with either a current speaker anchor or an actor anchor. Secondly, it appears that in cases of mismatches, there is always a current speaker. It thus appears that a current speaker anchor can override the constraints of the complement clause.

The Scope of Negation and Dual Operators in Standard Arabic: The Theory of Functional Discourse Grammar and Negative Operators on Dual Constructions

Negation has been extensively dealt with in the domain of formal theories of linguistics and grammar. The general consensus usually converges towards the conclusion that it is a morpho-syntactic operation by which the truth value of an utterance is reversed. On the other hand, Functional theories, such as Functional Discourse Grammar (henceforth FDG), reveal that Negation could potentially carry more nuances up its sleeves. This paper investigates how FDG could potentially account for the phenomenon of the scope of Negation on Dual constructions in Standard Arabic. It also sheds light on how the interaction between the negative operator and the numeral operator (on an individual x) could be problematic to the uniformity of FDG as a theory. The research takes a qualitative approach analyzing examples constructed with the aim of putting the focus on the factors relevant to this enquiry. The findings unveil that the Scope of Negation in Standard Arabic can target just the Dual operator on an individual x. This behavior is noteworthy as Operators are usually off-limits when it comes to being exclusively under the scope of Negation. The main reason is that Negation itself is expressed with the operator (Neg). Therefore, a new amendment to FDG might be required to representationally account for this phenomenon.

Modelling stance adverbs in grammatical theory: tackling heterogeneity with Functional Discourse Grammar

In many linguistic approaches and theories, a distinction is made between adverbs that are propositional (representational, ideational, referential) and adverbs that are non-propositional (interpersonal, (inter)subjective, evaluative, parenthetical); i.e. between what is said (the proposition expressed) and a speaker’s stance on what is said (e.g. the speaker’s attitude towards, evaluation of, or commitment to the message conveyed). As is well-known, however, the latter group, including such diverse adverbs as briefly, frankly, sadly, allegedly, hopefully, probably, obviously and cleverly, differ substantially in terms of their discourse-pragmatic or semantic function, truth-conditionality and syntactic and prosodic behaviour. This paper addresses the question of whether, given this functional and formal heterogeneity, it is helpful, or even possible, to recognize a category of stance adverbs. It is argued that our understanding of these adverbs will benefit from a stricter application of very specific functional and formal criteria, allowing for the distinction of a number of well-defined subclasses of adverbs with partly overlapping, but nevertheless defining functional and formal properties. Subsequently, it is demonstrated how the theory of Functional Discourse Grammar (FDG), a theory characterized by a “form-oriented function-to-form” approach (Hengeveld and Mackenzie, 2008: 38–39), making use of different levels and layers of linguistic analysis, can be used to bring out both the similarities and the differences between the various subclasses of stance adverbs without having to resort to a single dichotomy (e.g. ideational vs. interpersonal; truth-conditional vs. non-truth-conditional, propositional vs. non-propositional; parenthetical vs. non-parenthetical). In addition, it is shown how important concepts and distinctions in the literature on (inter)subjectivity, such as the distinction between semantic and pragmatic subjectivity, and between subjectivity and intersubjectivity, can be dealt with within the framework of FDG.

The problem of non-truth-conditional, lower-level modifiers: a Functional Discourse Grammar solution

This article discusses two groups of prosodically and linearly integrated modifiers: evaluative (‘subject-oriented’) adverbs (e.g.cleverly,stupidlyandrecklessly) and non-restrictive prenominal modifiers (e.g.oldas inmy old mother). What these two groups of elements have in common is the rather puzzling fact that both are (or have been analysed as) relatively low-level modifiers (i.e. as part of the proposition), while at the same time being non-truth-conditional/non-restrictive (suggesting they are non-propositional). In this article it is argued that although there is indeed compelling syntactic evidence that these elements modify a relatively low layer in the clause (proposition or lower), this need not be incompatible with their non-truth-conditional/non-restrictive status. Using the theory of Functional Discourse Grammar (FDG), an analysis is proposed in which these elements are not part of the proposition expressed by the clause in which they occur, but instead form part of a separate proposition, in which they function as non-verbal predicates taking a specific layer of analysis (e.g. a proposition, State-of-Affairs, entity or property) as their argument. The analysis proposed not only reconciles the specific semantic and syntactic properties of the modifiers in question, but also reveals the similarities between the two groups of modifiers discussed.

Mitigating Commitment through Negation

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to show that the theory of Functional Discourse Grammar constitutes a powerful model to account for the complex phenomenon of Neg-Raising in a consistent and systematic way. Previous studies on Neg-Raising, the phenomenon involving the transfer of the negative from a complement clause to the matrix clause, have traditionally characterized it in terms of syntactic and, more extensively, semantic criteria. These studies have focused on the delimitation of the type of verbs involved in this construction, since Neg-Raising is only allowed by some complement taking verbs, all related to certain kinds of modality. However, despite having been studied extensively, Neg-Raising remains an unclear phenomenon in certain respects. Taking as a point of departure the classification of Complement Clauses resulting from the application of the three parameters (Entity Type, Presupposition and Factuality) proposed within Functional Discourse Grammar, it is possible to arrive at a consistent delimitation of the constructions exhibiting Neg-Raising. Furthermore, the Morphological Level allows accounting for Neg- Raising without resorting to any kind of movement rule. It is through the operation of Morphological Encoding that the negative comes to occupy its position in the matrix clause.

Transparent and non-transparent languages

Abstract Languages differ widely from one another in the extent to which they are transparent, i.e. obey one-to-one relationships between meaning and form. Transparency, in turn, is an important factor in the learnability of languages. This paper first sets out a framework for the study of transparency and subsequently studies cross-linguistic differences in transparency, using the theory of Functional Discourse Grammar as its point of departure. Transparent and non-transparent features of languages are systematically defined using the multi-level architecture of this model of language, representing them as mappings between and within levels. In applying this framework to a sample of 30 languages it is shown that the (non-)transparent features investigated can be ordered into an implicational transparency hierarchy, and that as a result the languages of the sample can be ranked in terms of their degrees of transparency as well. Finally, the consequences of these findings for the learnability of languages are discussed.

Modal Adverbs in FDG: Putting the Theory to the Test

Abstract One of the distinctive features of the theory of Functional Discourse Grammar (FDG) is that it distinguishes various hierarchically organized layers of analysis, each of which is provided with a slot for modifiers relevant at the layer in question. Linear placement of these modifiers is determined by the layer to which they belong, with the ordering of elements taking place in a top-down, outward-inward manner. The model, in other words, makes predictions concerning the (relative) clausal position of different types of modifiers. In addition, the model places constraints on the occurrence of different types of modifiers in embedded environments (e.g. within the complement of certain types of verbs). Finally, the model places constraints on which modifiers can be expected to co-occur in coordinated constructions. The aim of the present paper is to test these predictions by examining the function, position and distribution of ten adverbs expressing various kinds of modality. Data from the British National Corpus (BYU-BNC) is used (i) to determine whether the predictions following from the overall organization of the FDG model are supported by empirical data; and (ii) to refine, where necessary, the classifications of modal adverbs proposed in the literature.

Structure and substance in functional discourse grammar: the case of the binominal noun phrase

This paper discusses the relevance of the distinctions made by Hjelmslev ([1943] 1961), between purport, substance and structure on the one hand, and content and expression on the other, for the theory of Functional Discourse Grammar (FDG). It is shown that FDG, as a form-oriented theory, shares a number of aspects with Hjelmslev’s model; at the same time, however, it is argued that, as a function-to-form theory, FDG assigns a much more important role to the notion of substance. Three major differences between the two approaches are identified, concerning (i) directionality in the model (between substance and structure), (ii) motivation (of structure on the basis of substance) and (iii) the difference between “structure” (in the form of more or less stable primitives) and “structuring” (as a process). Subsequently, a corpus-based, diachronic analysis of the use, form and development of a number of related binominal noun phrases with the head noun beast (e.g. a beast of a party) is offered to illustrate the FDG interpretation of the distinction between substance and structure, and to justify the greater importance attributed to the notion of substance. It is concluded that compared to Hjelmslev’s model, FDG is better equipped, both diachronically and synchronically, to deal with the specific features of and relations between the four types of binominal construction discussed in the paper.

Idiomatic expressions in Functional Discourse Grammar

AbstractThis article addresses the question of how the theory of Functional Discourse Grammar (FDG), with its clear distinction between lexicon and grammar, can deal with semi-fixed constructions by proposing a consistent and cognitively plausible account of idiomatic expressions that can not only deal with the partly unpredictable and partly productive character of these expressions, but also with the variation within the class of idioms. It is argued that, on the basis of both semantic and syntactic criteria, three major types of idiom can be distinguished. Subsequently, an FDG analysis is provided which shows that the syntactic behavior of these types is not entirely arbitrary and unpredictable, but that it can to a large extent be accounted for by the specific functional properties of each of these types. Finally, the article addresses the question of how to represent idioms in the FDG lexicon. It is suggested that the lexical entry of an idiom should take the form of a meaning definition which is associated with a semi-fixed combination of interpersonal and representation frames and morphosyntactic templates specifying the functional and formal constraints on individual idioms, while at the same time accounting for the (different degrees of) syntactic flexibility exhibited by the three major types of idiom. All that is needed for idioms to be integrated in the theory of FDG, it is concluded, is the introduction of a new primitive, the so-called ComPIF (Combination of Partially Instantiated Frames).

English proforms in Functional Discourse Grammar

The aim of this paper is to challenge the generally accepted claim in descriptive and theoretical linguistics that English anaphoric proforms replace constituents (semantic or syntactic units) in underlying representation. On the basis of authentic examples, it is shown that the anaphoric use of the predicative proforms one and do so, the demonstrative pronouns that and those, and some use of the personal pronouns he, she and they often requires hearers to retrieve lexical information that does not form a unit at any level of representation. A definition and analysis of proforms is proposed within the framework of Functional Discourse Grammar which does not depend on the presence of an antecedent in the form of a linguistic unit. It is argued that this approach does not only allow for a unified treatment of all anaphoric proforms, but can also be applied to deictic and other non-phoric proforms. The paper also contributes to the further development of the theory of Functional Discourse Grammar by providing an analysis of proforms at the Interpersonal, Representational and Morphosyntactic Levels of organization.

English proforms: an alternative account

In most theoretical and descriptive treatments of English proforms it seems to be accepted that proforms replace constituents in underlying structure (i.e. phrases or clauses). The aim of the present article is to challenge this assumption. It will be demonstrated that a great many fully acceptable uses of proforms turn out to be quite problematic for the view of proforms as corresponding either to constituents or to semantic and/or syntactic units in underlying representation; nor, it turns out, do proforms necessarily refer to or denote a single (identifiable, retrievable or inferrable) entity. After a brief summary of the relevant literature, the article presents a detailed examination of the actual function and use of English proforms, focusing on a number of frequently used proforms: (i) the indefinite pronounone, (ii) the predicative proformdo so, (iii) the demonstrative pronounsthatandthoseand (iv) certain uses of the personal pronounswe/usandyou.On the basis of attested examples, it is argued that these proforms do not necessarily express a unit at any level of underlying representation. Instead an alternative account of the use of proforms is suggested, using the theory of Functional Discourse Grammar, which, with its four different levels of analysis (representing pragmatic, semantic, morphosyntactic and phonological information), possesses the kind of flexibility needed to deal with English proforms in a consistent and unified manner. Finally, an attempt is made to explain some of the constraints on the flexible system proposed.

Parts of speech and dependent clauses in Functional Discourse Grammar

In this paper we use the Theory of Functional Discourse Grammar to show that parts-of-speech (PoS) and dependent clauses (DCs) can both be defined in terms of the functions they may express. On the basis of this parallel treatment, we predict that the functional possibilities of PoS and DCs in languages are comparable. This hypothesis is tested using a sample of 23 languages. The results do show similarities between the functional patterns of the two types of constructions.