The Semantic Basis of Argument Structure (Dissertations in Linguistics)

Wechsler Stephen

ISBN 10: 1881526690 / ISBN 13: 9781881526698

Published by Center for the Study of Language & Information, 1995

About this Item

pp. 158.

Seller Inventory # 182094634

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Semantic Basis of Argument Structure (Dissertations in Linguistics)
• Publisher: Center for the Study of Language & Information
• Publication Date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1881526690
• ISBN 13: 9781881526698
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

A central problem on the syntax-semantics interface is the mapping between semantic roles and syntactic arguments, usually termed 'linking'. This book presents a clear and concise treatment of linking which departs significantly from models employing a problematical intermediate level where roles are classified into thematic role types such as 'agent' and 'goal'. Instead, the connection between a verb's meaning and its argument structure is shown to be quite direct. This direct connection appeals to certain fundamental aspects of verb meaning, while more specific semantic relations such as 'goal' are relevant to linking only when such relations are associated with the meanings of prepositions and similar forms. As a result, the theory is firmly grounded in the semantic content of verbs and prepositions.

Review

."..the book is readable and well edited. ...the insights Wechsler offers into the verbal lexicon and its relation to syntax make ...the text worthwhile." James K. Watters, Notes on Linguistics