On representing semantic maps On representing semantic maps - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

On representing semantic maps On representing semantic maps Ferdinand de Haan Ferdinand de Haan University of Arizona University of Arizona

Problems with terminology Problems with terminology  Terminological proliferation  one function, many terms  Terminological imprecision  one term which has a precise meaning but which is used differently (or more widely) in actual fact

Terminological proliferation proliferation Terminological  deontic modality  root modality  dynamic modality  agent-oriented modality  participant-oriented modality  non-epistemic modality

Terminological imprecision imprecision Terminological  Optative mood  “the wish or hope of the speaker expressed in a main clause” (Bybee et al. 1994:179)  “The morpheme labeled optative [in Athabaskan] is used to express wishes and desires, incorporating notions of volition, necessity, desirability, and futurity.” (Rice 2000:249)

Semantic maps Semantic maps  Visual representation of the semantic range of linguistic elements  Used in typology for cross-linguistic and diachronic purposes  Useful to circumvent terminological problems

Composition Composition  A domain  functions of that domain  means of connecting functions  linguistic elements

Sample map X A B C

Realis and Irrealis Realis and Irrealis  Linguistic marking of real and unreal events  Held to be a fundamental property of language and cognition  Little consistency in marking of irrealis cross-linguistically (cf. Bybee 1998)

Irrealis in New Guinea Irrealis in New Guinea • Based on Bugenhagen (1994) • data from seven languages • seven functions are mapped

Semantic map for Realis - Irrealis Semantic map for Realis - Irrealis PROH IMP PST PRS FUT COUNT HYP

Semantic map for Realis - Irrealis Semantic map for Realis - Irrealis 5 4 2 1 3 6 7

Sinaugoro Sinaugoro 5 Int . 4 2 1 3 6 7 I R

Manam Manam 5 4 2 1 3 6 7 R I

Sio Sio 5 4 2 1 3 6 7 unm. I

Sursurunga Sursurunga 5 4 2 1 3 6 7 R I

Mangseng Mangseng don’t 5 4 2 1 3 6 7 aro unm.

Nakanai Nakanai 5 4 2 1 3 6 7 ge unm .

Muyuw Muyuw 5 4 2 1 3 6 7 R I unm .

Manam Manam 5 4 2 1 3 6 7 R I

Sinaugoro Sinaugoro 5 4 2 1 3 6 7

Nakanai Nakanai 5 4 2 1 3 6 7 unm. ge