[lingtalks] TODAY: Mark Harvey (Linguistics Colloquium)

[Klinton Bicknell]

TODAY at 3pm, Mark Harvey (University of Newcastle, Australia) will give 
a colloquium in the UCSD Linguistics Department, in AP&M 4301.

:: Abstract ::

Complex Predicates and Argument Structure

This paper contrasts data from coverb (= preverb) constructions in 
Australian languages with data from serial verb constructions to argue 
that complex predicates fall into two classes in terms of argument 
structure. In coverb constructions, the contributing predicates 'merge' 
to form single predicates at 'Lexical Conceptual Structure' (LCS; 
Jackendoff 1990) which have the semantic range of monomorphemic verbs in 
English. In many serial verb constructions, by contrast, the 
contributing predicates do not merge. This allows for a much wider range 
of LCSs. However, none of the current analyses of complex predicates 
(e.g. Foley and Van Valin 1984, Hale & Keyser 1993, 2002, Butt 2003, 
Ramchand & Svenonius 2002) predict these two classes. We argue that 
these differences fall out from the method of composition of the LCSs of 
each type.

Examples and further information from Harvey's abstract can be found at 
http://ling.ucsd.edu/events/colloquia/07-08/Harvey_ComplexPreds.pdf .

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For further information about the Linguistics department colloquia 
series, including the schedule of future events, please visit 
http://ling.ucsd.edu/events/colloquia.html .