Conceptual Semantics

Abstract

In this book, the micro-modular approach known as Tiernet within Conceptual Semantics is introduced. Constructions make up an important part in the approach, but in this approach constructions are considered to be exceptions, licensed links between micro-modules, one of the kinds of symbolic modules in the approach. Similar to construction grammar approaches, the micro-modular approach takes a solid interest in the ‘periphery’ and thus also studies irregular linking principles like constructions. The book details particulars in the development of generative grammar and the relation of Conceptual Semantics to this development, and then introduces the micro-modular approach and shows its usefulness for the description of language generally by not only using examples from English, but also, and in particular, by applying the micro-modular approach of Conceptual Semantics to data from Finnish.

Causative purpose adjuncts in Estonian and Finnish: A non-linear approach

“…In this way, we avoid the problem with the causative relation between the coconut and Greg as discussed above. However, we will show that the linear analysis in (5) is still problematic, and we will suggest a non-linear model that gives a more elaborate analysis of causation in purpose expressions (about the application of the non-linear Conceptual Semantics methodology on causative structures, see Nikanne 1990Nikanne , 1997bNikanne , 2008Nikanne , 2018; causative emotion constructions are examined in Pörn 2004Pörn , 2008; an elaboration of causative structures in variants of phraseological units is Petrova 2011; Paulsen 2011a, 2011b offers an approach to social causation).…”

“…The analysis in Section 4 also involves a treatment of instrumentality. In this study, the causative relationships are approached within the theoretical framework of Conceptual Semantics, a theory based on the work of Ray Jackendoff (1983Jackendoff ( , 1990Jackendoff ( , 1997Jackendoff ( , 2002Jackendoff ( , 2007 and Nikanne (1990Nikanne ( , 1995Nikanne ( , 1997aNikanne ( , 1997bNikanne ( , 2005Nikanne ( , 2006Nikanne ( , 2008Nikanne ( , 2018, developed in Pörn (2004Pörn ( , 2008, Paulsen (2011aPaulsen ( , 2011b and Petrova (2011). The goal of Conceptual Semantics is to establish the optimal means of describing the human cognitive system with emphasis on the interface between different cognitive systems related to language.…”

“…Conceptual representation of a word, lexical conceptual structure (LCS), is the level of understanding linguistic information, functioning as structural correspondence between the linguistic representations such as phonology, syntax and other cognitive domains (spatial, social, haptic knowledge, etc. ; see Nikanne 1997bNikanne , 2006Nikanne , 2008.…”

“…The conceptual structure is understood as the representation in which linguistic information is organized and compiled with cognitive faculties such as dimensionality, spatial information, body representation and social reasoning (e.g. Jackendoff 1983:16-18;Nikanne 2008). The conceptual structure is decomposed to semantic roles and functions as parts of a multi-tiered structure.…”

“…The central levels of description are the THEMATIC TIER (expressing causation, change, direction and location), the ACTION TIER (describing dominance relations between the participants, activity and passivity), the TEMPORAL TIER (dealing with the internal time flow of a situation), the SEMANTIC FIELD TIER (spatial, possessive, circumstantial, social, etc.) and the MODAL TIER (negation, possibility, necessity) (Jackendoff 1990;Nikanne 1990Nikanne , 2008Nikanne , 2018.…”