Re-thinking FNI

Abstract

This paper discusses the classification of null instantiation phenomena in Construction Grammar and proposes a different treatment of so-called free null instantiation (FNI). Based on e.g. control data, different types of alleged FNI are shown to be more accurately classified as definite (adjunct control), generic (e.g.toughconstructions), or unspecified for interpretation (e.g. passives). A striking pattern is that general constructions, such as infinitives and gerunds, license unspecified null instantiation (simply NI), whereas more specific control constructions are associated with a definite (DNI) or generic (GNI) interpretation. Hence, the paper proposes a null instantiation taxonomy that distinguishes (unspecified) NI and the specific subtypes definite (DNI), indefinite (INI), identity of sense (ISNA), and generic (GNI) null instantiation.

Lexical and phrasal approaches to argument structure: Two sides of the same coin

“…However, several detailed constructional accounts that address different types of unexpressed arguments do exist, e.g. Fillmore (1986Fillmore ( , 2013, Michaelis (2010), andLyngfelt (2012). In addition, the FrameNet database records detailed information about the types of arguments that can be left unexpressed in specific contexts, making a distinction between definite null instantiation, indefinite null instantiation, and constructional null 23 See, e.g.…”

“…These valence patterns are distinct from constructionally licensed valence patterns, see Fillmore (1986),Fillmore et al (2012),Lambrecht and Lemoine (2005), andLyngfelt (2012). Michaelis (2012) describes the Sign-based Construction Grammar approach to null complementation extensively, as doRuppenhofer and Michaelis (2010), with specific focus on genre effects.Brought to you by | University of Georgia Libraries Authenticated Download Date | 6/3/15 8:28 PM…”

Construction Grammar and language contact

“…the Theme is a nominal object. The labels DNI and INI refer to FEs that are not overtly expressed and are interpreted under definite or indefinite null instantiation, respectively (Fillmore 1986, Ruppenhofer et al 2010, Lyngfelt 2012. The numbers in the left-hand column refer to the number of annotated corpus sentences bearing each FE configuration (FEC).…”

Frames and constructions enhance text coherence: The case of DNI resolutions in spoken discourse

“…In this paper, I argue that argument omission, in particular so-called Definite Null Instantiation (henceforth DNI) as discussed in frame semantics, is not only an interesting and ubiquitous syntactic phenomenon (Fillmore 1986;Ruppenhofer 2004;Lyngfelt 2012, amongst others), more importantly it could also play a major role in establishing text coherence. The analysis builds on data and findings presented in a more comprehensive study (Ziem in press a), forming a part of a research project that attempts to develop a cognitive-linguistic account of textual reference (cf.…”