<OT> New Posting: ROA-626

[roa at ruccs.rutgers.edu]

ROA 626-1003

Tell and Say: Towards an OT Approach to Semantics

Daniel Sanford <danquixote73 at yahoo.com>

Direct link: http://roa.rutgers.edu/view.php3?roa=626


Abstract:
A Natural Semantic Metalanguage (Wiezbicka 1972) approach
which takes advantage of discourse-analytical methods as
a source of data can be used not only to precisely define
lexical items, but also to answer questions as to word choice
and distribution.  Cumming & Ono (1997: 132) point out that
‘the attention that has been devoted to the lexicon has
focused primarily on explanations for lexical category distinctio
ns… rather than to choice within lexical sets.’  An NSM
approach which takes advantage of discourse data is well-position
ed to address the issue of choice within lexical sets, and
a model for how speakers do so is outlined in this paper.
Such an approach can best be understood in terms of Optimality
Theory (Prince & Smolensky 1993), and would therefore have
the added advantage of providing a single possible framework
for the understanding of semantics, phonology, and syntax.

Comments: Word document- sorry, no PDF.
Keywords: semantics, natural semantic metalanguage, NSM, optimality theory, discourse, speech act
Areas: 
Type: Manuscript

Direct link: http://roa.rutgers.edu/view.php3?roa=626