Syntax and Structural Ambiguity 12.1
25 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

According to Aristotle, what is the relationship between mental experiences, spoken words, and written words?

  • Mental experiences are symbols of spoken words, and written words are symbols of mental experiences.
  • Mental experiences are symbols of written words, and spoken words are symbols of mental experiences.
  • Written words are symbols of mental experiences, and spoken words are symbols of written words.
  • Spoken words are symbols of mental experiences, and written words are symbols of spoken words. (correct)

    • Aristotle argues that although spoken words differ across languages, what remains constant?

  • The way people pronounce sounds.
  • The way people express emotions.
  • The way people think. (correct)
  • The way people write.

    • Which of the following terms does the passage use to refer to the mental experiences that are symbolized by words?

  • Signifiants
  • Mental images
  • Signifiés (correct)
  • Spoken sounds

    • According to the passage, what does the author mean by "Signifiants differ across languages"?

    <p>Different languages have different sounds and pronunciations. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Based on the passage, what can you infer about Aristotle's view on the relationship between language and thought?

    <p>Aristotle believed that thought shapes language. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons for why certain structures of language pose systematic problems to any discrete analysis?

    <p>The existence of words with ambiguous meanings (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which example sentence in the text demonstrates the concept of structural ambiguity, where the same sentence can be interpreted in different ways?

    <p>She saw the man with the telescope. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the information provided, how are languages related to reality in a direct mirroring approach?

    <p>Language directly reflects the external world. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the example sentence "Mrs Jenkins looked after our parrot during the holidays.", what is the argument for analysis (1) that "Mrs Jenkins" is the subject and "looked after" is the verb?

    <p>It is similar to other sentences like &quot;she returned after the war&quot; where the subject is performing an action. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The concept of 'gradience' in syntax refers to the blurring of boundaries between syntactic categories. Which example does the text use to illustrate this concept?

    <p>The words 'adjective' and 'adverb' can be used to describe words that modify nouns and verbs, respectively, and the boundaries between these categories can be fuzzy. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between Class A and Class B language categories?

    <p>Class A categories are based on a direct mirroring approach, while Class B categories are based on a more complex relationship with reality. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main takeaway from the discussion of the different analyses of sentences like "Mrs Jenkins looked after our parrot during the holidays"?

    <p>Syntax analysis is complex and there may not be a simple explanation for all sentences. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the examples provided illustrates that language classifications can be arbitrary?

    <p>All of the examples provided illustrate arbitrary classifications. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the 'gap' in Language 2 in the second diagram?

    <p>All of the above. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the information provided, what is a key factor that impacts the way languages are related to reality?

    <p>The cultural context and interpretation of reality. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is NOT a characteristic of the traditional (Aristotelian) view of categories?

    <p>Categories have fuzzy boundaries. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'sense' in the context of semantics?

    <p>The utterance-independent meaning of a lexical item, determined by semantic relations within the system. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is NOT a component of a 'desktop computer' frame?

    <p>Operating system (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the prototype theory suggest about categories?

    <p>Categories are organized around a central, prototypical member. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is an example of a 'peripheral' member of the category 'bird'?

    <p>Penguin (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between 'denotation' and 'connotation'?

    <p>Denotation refers to the literal meaning, while connotation refers to the emotional or cultural associations. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these examples best illustrates the concept of 'reference'?

    <p>The word 'cat' refers to a particular animal in the real world. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these CANNOT be classified as a 'script'?

    <p>Using a computer. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main focus of cognitive linguistics, as presented in the text?

    <p>Analyzing the relationship between language and thought. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT an example of polysemy?

    <p>He hit the ball with a bat. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Syntax

    The set of rules that govern sentence structure in a language.

    Structural ambiguity

    A situation where a sentence can be interpreted in multiple ways due to its structure.

    Syntactic surface structures

    The outward form of a sentence, which can be analyzed in different ways.

    Multiple analysis

    When a single sentence can be analyzed in different syntactic structures, leading to different interpretations.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Gradience in syntax

    The idea that syntactic categories (like adjectives and adverbs) are not strictly defined but can vary in degree.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Semantics

    The study of how language relates to meaning and reality.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Extralinguistic reality

    Factors outside language that influence meaning, like perception and culture.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Physiological perception

    How physical sensations affect language comprehension and interpretation.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Cultural interpretation

    The way cultural backgrounds influence the meaning of words and concepts.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Arbitrary classification

    The idea that categorization of the world by culture is not fixed or universal.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Signifiants

    The actual sounds or written symbols of words in language that represent meaning.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Signifiés

    The mental concepts or ideas that words represent in semantics.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Central adjectives

    Adjectives that strongly convey a characteristic and often appear in positive/negative forms.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Peripheral adjectives

    Adjectives that are less directly descriptive or more context-dependent.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Star

    A self-luminous celestial body that emits light.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Polysemy

    A word with multiple related meanings, like 'star' or 'foot'.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Homonymy

    Different words that sound the same but have different meanings, like 'bat'.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Metaphor

    A figure of speech that implies a comparison between unrelated things.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Metonymy

    A figure of speech where one thing is referred to by something closely associated with it.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Collocation

    The habitual juxtaposition of a particular word with others, often seen as statistically significant.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Selection restrictions

    The limitations that determine which word combinations are permissible in given contexts.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Traditional classification

    A category defined by a checklist of shared properties.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Prototype theory

    Categories based on similarity to a central example, with fuzzy boundaries.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Fuzzy boundaries

    Indistinct edges of a category where membership varies.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Frame

    A structured concept that organizes elements of knowledge in context.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Script

    A sequence of events that outlines a typical scenario.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Sense

    The inherent meaning of a word independent of context.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Reference

    The relationship between a word and what it points to in the real world.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Denotation

    The direct relation between a word and its meaning in the world.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Connotation

    The emotional or cultural associations linked to a word.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Langue vs. Parole

    Langue is the language system; parole is actual speech in use.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Study Notes

    Syntax Epilogue

    • Syntax is the study of sentence structure.
    • Sentences can be structurally ambiguous, meaning the same surface structure can have multiple interpretations.
    • Examples of structural ambiguity were provided.

    Structural Ambiguity

    • Syntactic surface structures can be compatible with different analyses, leading to subtle differences in meaning.
    • Example sentences were presented demonstrating this ambiguity with explanations.

    Multiple Analysis

    • Certain language structures cause problems for discrete analysis.
    • Example sentences (e.g., "Mrs. Jenkins looked after our parrot during the holidays") were used to illustrate structural ambiguity, highlighting two possible interpretations.
    • Arguments for each interpretation of the sentence were listed.

    Gradience

    • Syntactic categories may not be discrete.
    • Adjectives and adverbs can exhibit a gradient, rather than a fixed boundary.
    • A table comparing adjectives (e.g., "hungry", "infinite") with adverbs (e.g., "soon", "abroad") demonstrated this gradient.
    • An illustration of "gradient of adjectivity" showed different words along a spectrum, ranging from verb-like to adjective-like to adverb-like.

    Lexicology and Semantics

    Semantics

    • Aristotle (4th century BCE) believed spoken words symbolize mental experiences.

    • Written words symbolize spoken words.

    • Speech holds priority over writing.

    • Mental experiences are the same across languages.

    • Different languages have different speech sounds, but the mental experiences are the same.

    • The translation used comes from On Interpretation 1 and was by E. M. EDGHILL.

    • Different languages may use different words for similar concepts (extralinguistic reality).

    • The example shows different languages using different words for the same object or idea.

    • Languages represent reality (extralinguistic reality), a different way compared to grammatical structures, leading to different ways to express thought.

    • The method of classifying types (e.g., animals) is arbitrary (dependent on human classification criteria).

    Traditional Classification

    • Traditional categories are defined by a checklist of shared properties.
    • Membership is binary (in or out).
    • Examples (e.g., "bird") with their defining characteristics were listed.

    Prototype Theory

    • Categories are based on overall similarity with a central (prototypical) member.
    • Good examples and less good examples exist within a category.
    • Category boundaries can be fuzzy.
    • An example of a prototypical bird (e.g., robin) and other birds (e.g., penguin, ostrich) were used to illustrate this.

    More Complex Semantic Structures

    • Words are organized in coherent structures reflecting world knowledge.
    • Frames are patterns or situations with functional slots (e.g., "desktop computer," "children's birthday party").
    • Scripts are sequences of events (e.g., "dining out").
    • Examples of frames and scripts were provided.

    The Meanings of Meaning

    • Meaning has different components.
    • Sense is the meaning independent of utterance. This meaning is derived from semantic relations within the system.
    • Denotation is the concept (e.g., cat) of a category associated with an expression.
    • Connotation adds associations (e.g., fuzzy, fluffy) to a term.
    • Reference is the relationship between the utterance and the extralinguistic reality.
    • Langue and Parole are described as components of the conceptual frame.

    The Meanings of a Word

    Polysemy

    • Polysemy is the presence of multiple meanings for a word.
    • Example: star (celestial body, symbol, celebrity).
    • The meanings of a polysemous word are often historically related.
    • The meanings are sometimes different but synchronically similar (e.g., "pupil" in the eye vs. pupil at school)

    Homonymy

    • Homonymy refers to the formal identity of different words with distinct meanings.
    • Example: bat (animal) and bat (baseball).
    • Homonyms are different than the polysemous words, as the semantic relationship is a coincidence.

    Metaphor

    • Metaphor is based on perceived similarity.
    • Examples: "He's the father of computer science."
    • A mapping takes place from one domain to another.
    • Examples: "Knowledge is light," "Good is up."

    Metonymy

    • Metonymy is based on contiguity (co-occurrence) in reality.
    • Example: "I hate to read Heidegger" (the author's work.)
    • The relationship is close but not directly analogous.

    Syntagmatic Semantics

    • Collocation is statistically frequent co-occurrence of words (e.g., "blond hair," "rancid butter").
    • Selection restrictions: certain words are limited to certain contexts. (e.g., As we sailed up the Ganges we saw dozens of dead bodies swimming down the river.)

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Syntax - Semantics PDF

    Description

    Explore the intricacies of syntax and the concept of structural ambiguity in language. This quiz covers examples of sentences with multiple interpretations and discusses the challenges of discrete analysis in syntactic structures. Test your understanding of the gradience in syntactic categories with various examples.

    More Like This

    Structural Ambiguity in Linguistics
    29 questions

    Structural Ambiguity in Linguistics

    HaleDiscernment avatar
    HaleDiscernment
    Structural Depth - Materials Properties Quiz
    55 questions

    Structural Depth - Materials Properties Quiz

    UnparalleledEcoArt avatar
    UnparalleledEcoArt
    Structural-Functional Paradigm Flashcards
    9 questions

    Structural-Functional Paradigm Flashcards

    MesmerizingBongos avatar
    MesmerizingBongos
    Structural-Functional Theory Flashcards
    14 questions

    Structural-Functional Theory Flashcards

    RadiantLaplace9461 avatar
    RadiantLaplace9461
    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser