The Grammar of NamesThis book is the first systematic account of the syntax and semantics of names. Drawing on work in onomastics, philosophy, and linguistics John Anderson examines the distribution and subcategorization of names within a framework of syntactic categories, and considers how the morphosyntactic behaviour of names connects to their semantic roles. He argues that names occur in two basic circumstances: one involving vocatives and their use in naming predications, where they are notdefinite; the other their use as arguments of predicators, where they are definite. This division is discussed in relation to English, French, Greek, and Seri, and a range of other languages. Professor Anderson reveals that the semantic status of names, including prototypicality, is crucial tounderstanding their morphosyntax and role in derivational relationships. He shows that semantically coherent subsets of names, such as those referring to people and places, are characterized by morphosyntactic properties which may vary from language to language. His original and important investigation will appeal to scholars and advanced students of linguistics and philosophy. |
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adjectives Anderson apparently argument associated attributive basic called Chapter characterization combination common words Compare complex concerned Consider context conversion course definite deictic denotation dependent derived determinative discussion distinction distinguish distribution elements English entity example existence expression extension follows formations function functor further given grammar Greek hand identification illustrated indefinite indicated individual instance interpretation introduced involve John kind knowledge lack languages latter least lexical limited linguistic look meaning merely modifiers nomination notional noun observed onomastic particular partitive perhaps personal names phrases place names plural predicator present primary pronouns proper names properties prototypical reference reflected relation relevant representation represented require respect role seems seen semantic sense sentence share simply singular speaker specific status structure studies suggests syntactic syntax tradition typically University various verb vocative