Functional Discourse Grammar and constituent order typology
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Transcript of Functional Discourse Grammar and constituent order typology
Functional Discourse Grammar and constituent order typology
Kees Hengeveld
Introduction
In Functional Discourse Grammar (FDG), constituent order is taken care of in a novel way in two different senses:
(i) the word order component of FDG makes use of templates that are dynamically constructed using maximally four absolute positions: initial (PI), second (P2), middle (PM) and final (PF)
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Introduction
In Functional Discourse Grammar (FDG), constituent order is taken care of in a novel way in two different senses:
(ii) the assignment of constituents to positions occurs in two different steps: a hierarchical and a configurational one
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Introduction
These two aspects of the approach to constituent order in FDG provide a new perspective on classical constituent order typology:
(i) the availability of maximally four absolute positions leads to the question whether the six-way classification of basic consituent orders in terms of S, O, and V is not far too simple
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Introduction
These two aspects of the approach to constituent order in FDG provide a new perspective on classical constituent order typology:
(ii) the hierarchical approach leads to the question whether one should really start looking at S, O, and V, rather than at peripheral constituents such as sentence adverbs.
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Contents
1. Constituent order in Functional Discourse Grammar2. Classical constituent order typology3. FDG templates and constituent order typology4. FDG hierarchies and constituent order typology5. Conclusions
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1. Constituent order in Functional Discourse Grammar
Frames, Lexemes, Primary operators
Templates,Auxiliaries, Secondary operators
Interpersonal Level
Representational Level
Formulation
Morphosyntactic Encoding
Morphosyntactic Level
Phonological Encoding
Phonological Level
Prosodic patterns,Morphemes, Tertiary operators
Morphosyntactic encoding
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Interpersonal Level
Representational Level
Morphosyntactic Level
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Steps in morphosyntactic encoding
Hierarchical ordering(Alignment)Non-hierarchical ordering(Dummy-insertion)(Agreement)
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TemplatesOrdering templates make use of maximally four language specific
absolute positions which serve as anchor points in the ordering process: initial, second, middle, and final position:
PI P2 PM PF
As soon as an absolute position is occupied, and only when it is occupied, the template is expanded with further relative positions:
PI PI+1
PI+2 etc.P2 P2+1 P2+2 etc. etc. PM-2 PM-1 PM PM+1 PM+2 etc.
etc. PF-2 PF-1 PF
Hierarchical ordering
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Interpersonal Level M → A → C → R → T↓
Representational Level p → ep → e → fc → fl
Within each level assign a position to elements with higher scope before assigning a position to elements with lower scope
Assign a position to interpersonal units before assigning a position to representational units
Non-hierarchical ordering
Non-hierarchical ordering is guided by alignment considerations: is a language accusative, ergative or hierarchical, does complexity of constituents play a role?
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Hierarchichal ordering: IL
She finally (ΣA) honestly (ΣF) reportedly (ΣC) is the queen’s sister.
PI PM
--- ---
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Hierarchichal ordering: IL
She finally (ΣA) honestly (ΣF) reportedly (ΣC) is the queen’s sister.
PI PM PM+1 --- finally ---
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Hierarchichal ordering: IL
She finally (ΣA) honestly (ΣF) reportedly (ΣC) is the queen’s sister.
PI PM PM+1 PM+2
--- finally honestly ---
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Hierarchichal ordering: IL
She finally (ΣA) honestly (ΣF) reportedly (ΣC) is the queen’s sister.
PI PM PM+1 PM+2 PM+3
--- finally honestly reportedly ---
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Hierarchichal ordering: IL
She finally (ΣA) honestly (ΣF) reportedly (ΣC) is the queen’s sister.
PI PM PM+1 PM+2 PM+3
--- finally honestly reportedly [is the
queens sister]
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Hierarchichal ordering: IL
She finally (ΣA) honestly (ΣF) reportedly (ΣC) is the queen’s sister.
PI PI+1 PM PM+1 PM+2 PM+3
She --- finally honestly reportedly [is the
queens sister]
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Hierarchical ordering: RL
She drinks continuously (σf) again (σe) recently (σep).
PI PM PF
--- --- ---
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Hierarchical ordering: RL
She drinks continuously (σf) again (σe) recently (σep).
PI PM PF-1 PF
--- --- --- recently
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Hierarchical ordering: RL
She drinks continuously (σf) again (σe) recently (σep).
PI PM PF-2 PF-1 PF
--- --- --- again recently
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Hierarchical ordering: RL
She drinks continuously (σf) again (σe) recently (σep).
PI PM PF-3 PF-2 PF-1 PF
--- --- --- continuously again recently
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Hierarchical ordering: RL
She drinks continuously (σf) again (σe) recently (σep).
PI PI+1 PM PF-3 PF-2 PF-1 PF
She --- --- --- continuously again recently
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Hierarchical ordering: RL
She drinks continuously (σf) again (σe) recently (σep).
PI PI+1 PM PF-3 PF-2 PF-1 PF
She --- drinks --- continuously again recently
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Hierarchical ordering: IL/RL
Perhaps (σp) I will (πep) accept that.
PI PM
--- ---
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Hierarchical ordering: IL/RL
Perhaps (σp) I will (πep) accept that.
PI PI+1 PM
Perhaps --- ---
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Hierarchical ordering: IL/RL
Perhaps (σp) I will (πep) accept that.
PI PI+1 PM PM+1
Perhaps --- will ---
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Hierarchical ordering: IL/RL
Perhaps (σp) I will (πep) accept that.
PI PI+1 PM PM+1 PM+2
Perhaps --- will accept ---
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Hierarchical ordering: IL/RL
Perhaps (σp) I will (πep) accept that.
PI PI+1 PM PM+1 PM+2
Perhaps --- will accept that.
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Hierarchical ordering: IL/RL
Perhaps (σp) I will (πep) accept that.
PI PI+1 PM PM+1 PM+2
Perhaps I will accept that.
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Hierarchical ordering: IL/RL
That (RContrast) perhaps (σp) I will (πep) accept.
(Connolly 2012: 465)
PI PM
--- ---
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Hierarchical ordering: IL/RL
That (RContrast) perhaps (σp) I will (πep) accept.
PI PI+1 PM
That --- ---
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Hierarchical ordering: IL/RL
That (RContrast) perhaps (σp) I will (πep) accept.
PI PI+1 PI+2 PM
That perhaps --- ---
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Hierarchical ordering: IL/RL
That (RContrast) perhaps (σp) I will (πep) accept.
PI PI+1 PI+2 PM PM+1
That perhaps --- will accept.
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Hierarchical ordering: IL/RL
That (RContrast) perhaps (σp) I will (πep) accept.
PI PI+1 PI+2 PM PM+1
That perhaps I will accept.
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Hierarchical ordering: IL/RL
Perhaps (σp) I will (πep) accept that.That (RContrast) perhaps (σp) I will (πep) accept.
PI PI+1 PM PM+1 PM+2
Perhaps I will accept that.PI PI+1 PI+2 PM PM+1
That perhaps I will accept.
Phrases
the (πR) three (πx) pairs of (πf) shoes that you bought
PI PF
--- ---
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Phrases
the (πR) three (πx) pairs of (πf) shoes that you bought
PI PI+1 PF
the --- ---
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Phrases
the (πR) three (πx) pairs of (πf) shoes that you bought
PI PI+1 PI+2 PF
the three --- ---
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Phrases
the (πR) three (πx) pairs of (πf) shoes that you bought
PI PI+1 PI+2 PI+3 PF
the three pairs_of --- ---
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Phrases
the (πR) three (πx) pairs of (πf) shoes that you bought
PI PI+1 PI+2 PI+3 PI+4 PF
the three pairs_of shoes --- ---
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Phrases
the (πR) three (πx) pairs of (πf) shoes that you bought
PI PI+1 PI+2 PI+3 PI+4 PF-1 PF
the three pairs_of shoes --- --- that you bought
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Words
Manuel ano fi-nu(πe)-ti(πC)-e(πF).Manuel food eat-PERC-REP-DECL‘They say Manuel ate.’
PF
---
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Words
Manuel ano fi-nu(πe)-ti(πC)-e(πF).Manuel food eat-PERC-REP-DECL‘They say Manuel ate.’
PF-1 PF
--- -e
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Words
Manuel ano fi-nu(πe)-ti(πC)-e(πF).Manuel food eat-PERC-REP-DECL‘They say Manuel ate..’
PF-2 PF-1 PF
--- -ti -e
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Words
Manuel ano fi-nu(πe)-ti(πC)-e(πF).Manuel food eat-PERC-REP-DECL‘They say Manuel ate.’
PF-3 PF-2 PF-1 PF
-- -nu -ti -e
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Words
Manuel ano fi-nu(πe)-ti(πC)-e(πF).Manuel food eat-PERC-REP-DECL‘They say Manuel ate.’
PF-4 PF-3 PF-2 PF-1 PF
--- fi -nu -ti -e
2. Classical constituent order typology
S, O, and V
• Classical clausal constituent order typology focuses on the position of S, O, and V in transitive clauses
• This is problematic by itself, as S, O, nor V are universal (nor are, perhaps, transitive clauses)
• I therefore rather use Predicate, Actor and Undergoer as the basic notions
• Six patterns in classical constituent order typology: VSO, SVO, SOV, VOS, OVS, OSV
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3. FDG templates and constituent order typology
Issues
From the perspective of FDG templates two major questions have to be addressed in constituent order typology:
(i) Which and how many absolute positions are used by a language?
(ii) To which of these positions are Predicate, Actor, and Undergoer assigned?
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Absolute positions
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1 absolute positionPI - - -- - PM -- - - PF
2 absolute positionsPI P2 - -PI - PM -PI - - PF
- - PM PF
Absolute positions
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3 absolute positionsPI P2 PM -PI P2 - PF
PI - PM PF
4 absolute positionsPI P2 PM PF
Absolute positions
Are there any universal restrictions on combinations of absolute positions?
(i) PI seems to be universal(ii) P2 by definition cannot exist without PI
(iii) Templates with just one absolute position are highy unlikely
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Absolute positions
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2 absolute positionsP1 P2 - -P1 - PM -P1 - - PF
3 absolute positionsPI P2 PM -PI P2 - PF
PI - PM PF
4 absolute positionsPI P2 PM PF
Predicate, Actor and Undergoer
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PI P2 PM PF
Pred A UPred A UPred A UA Pred UA Pred UA Pred UA U PredA U PredA U Pred
Predicate, Actor and Undergoer
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PI P2 PM PF
Pred U APred U APred U AU Pred AU Pred AU Pred AU A PredU A PredU A Pred
Predicate, Actor and Undergoer
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PI P2 PM PF
Pred A UPred A UPred A UPred A UPred A UPred A U
Predicate, Actor and Undergoer
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PI P2 PM PF
A Pred UA Pred UA Pred UA Pred UA Pred UA Pred U
Predicate, Actor and Undergoer
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PI P2 PM PF
A U PredA U Pred A U Pred A U PredA U Pred A U Pred
Predicate, Actor and Undergoer
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PI P2 PM PF
Pred U APred U APred U APred U APred U APred U A
Predicate, Actor and Undergoer
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PI P2 PM PF
U Pred AU Pred AU Pred AU Pred AU Pred AU Pred A
Predicate, Actor and Undergoer
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PI P2 PM PF
U A PredU A Pred U A Pred U A PredU A Pred U A Pred
Predicate, Actor and Undergoer
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PI P2 PM PF
Pred A UPred A U
Pred A UPred A U
Pred U APred U A
Pred U APred U A
Predicate, Actor and Undergoer
Instead of 6 there are now 64 possible orders. Some of these are probably non-existent, but testing this would require an enormous sample and detailed information on all the languages in the sample
Some illustrations of the placement of A and U in absolute and relative positions follow.
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Portuguese
O Pedro leu o livro.the Pedro read the book. ‘Pedro read the book.’Ontem o Pedro leu o livro.yesterday the Pedro read the book. ‘Yesterday Pedro read the book.’
→ no P2 position
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Portuguese
O Pedro ontem leu o livro. the Pedro yesterday read the book. ‘Yesterday Pedro read the book.’
→ verb not in PI+N
O Pedro leu o livro.the Pedro read the book. ‘Pedro read the book.’
→ verb in PM
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Portuguese
O Pedro leu ontem o livro. the Pedro read yesterday the book. ‘Yesterday Pedro read the book.’→ Undergoer in PF
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Portuguese
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PI P2 PM PF
A Pred U
Dutch
Peter las het boek snel.Peter read the book quicky‘Peter read the book quickly.’Waarschijnlijk las Peter het boek snel. probably read Peter the book quickly‘Probably Peter read the book quickly.’
→ verb in P2
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Dutch
Peter las het boek. Peter read the book‘Peter read the book.’
→ A in PI
Peter las gisteren snel het boek.Peter read yesterday quickly the book‘Peter read the book quickly yesterday.’
→ modifiers in PM, U not in P2+1 but in PM or PF 72
Dutch
Peter las het boek gisteren snel. Peter read the book yesterday quickly‘Peter read the book.’
→ U not in PF
Jan las het boek. → U in PM
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Dutch
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PI P2 PM PF
A Pred U
English
Peter read the book.Probably Peter read the book.
→ verb not in P2
Peter probably read the book. → verb not in PI+N
Peter read the book.→ verb in PM
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English
*Peter read probably the book. → U in PM+1
Peter read the book probably.→ modifier in PF
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English
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PI P2 PM PF
A Pred U
Leti
Lo Tutkuei Solemaana nvava Seli=oat Tutukei Salomon is.called
Seli=IND‘Salomon is called Seli in Tutukei.’
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Leti
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PI P2 PM PF
A Pred U
Examples of A Pred U languages
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PI P2 PM PF
Portuguese A Pred UDutch A Pred UEnglish A Pred ULeti A Pred U
FDG hierarchies and constituent order typology
Hierarchical ordering
• In many approaches to constituent order nuclear constituents are taken as the point of departure
• Functional Discourse Grammar, as a top-down model, rather starts with the peripheral constituents, applying a hierarchical principle
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Hierarchical ordering
• In such an approach constituent order directly reflects the pragmatic and semantic scope of constituents
• This has to be achieved in a functional model of language that does not allow any transformation, such as movement, deletion, etc.
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Hierarchical ordering
• Any absolute position may act as the starting point of hierarchical ordering, as shown in the following examples.
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Tagalog
Sa=kasamaang-palad bhumiagsak si=GagaUnfortunately AV.failed NOM=Gaga
sa=pagsusulit. DAT=examination
‘Unfortunately Gaga failed the examination.’
Hierarchisch ConfigurationeelPI PI+1 PI+N PX PX+1 ...
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Hidatsa
Wíra i apaari ki stao ski.tree it grow INCH REM.PST CERT'The tree must have begun to grow a long time ago.'
Configurationeel Hierarchisch ... PX-1 PX PF-N PF-1 PF
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Leti
Rèkna side la=Agustus tujublas ra-sèka=e=lolet’s_sayusually DIR=August 17 3.PL-dance=EXCT=LOC
Servaru. Serwaru.EXCT
‘Let’s say they usually do a specific war dance in Serwaru on 17 August.’
Hierarchisch HierarchischPI PI+1 PI+2 PM-2 PM-1 PM PM+1 PM+2 PF-2 PF-1 PF
Configurationeel
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Lillooet
Kaxim=a=kwú?=tu?.he.disappeared=REINF=REP=PAST‘He disappeared, I heard.’
Configurationeel Hierarchisch ConfigurationeelPI P2 P2+1 P2+2 P2+n P2+n+1 ...
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A typology in terms of hierarchical starting points
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PI P2 PM PF
Tagalog +Lillooet +Hidatsa +Leti + +English + + +etc.
Interaction between hierarchical and configurational ordering
Languages often have the predicate in the same field as the one they use for hierarchical ordering, but Lillooet shows that this is not a necessary combination
There appear to be predicate-final languages that start hierarchical ordering in initial position, but I am not aware of predicate-initial languages that start hierarchical ordering in final position, which again points at the universality of the initial position.
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Conclusions
Conclusions
Though the typological data needed to check the predictions that follow from the FDG approach to constituent order are difficult to obtain, this first exploration suggests:
(i) that the four absolute positions proposed in the theory have clear typological correlates, which leads to a far larger number of possible word order types as those recognized in classical constituent order typology.
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Conclusions
Though the typological data needed to check the predictions that follow from the FDG approach to constituent order are difficult to obtain, this first exploration suggests:
(ii) that the distinction between hierarchical and configurational ordering leads to a new typology of languages in terms of their starting point for hierarchical ordering.
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Conclusions
Though the typological data needed to check the predictions that follow from the FDG approach to constituent order are difficult to obtain, this first exploration suggests:
(iii) that the interaction between patterns of hierarchical and configurational ordering are not random, but restricted in systematic ways.
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This presentation is available at www.keeshengeveld.nl