Fictive interaction and the nature of linguistic meaning
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Sergeiy Sandler
Abstract
One may distinguish between three broad conceptions of linguistic meaning. One conception, which I will call “logical”, views meaning as given in reference (for words) and truth (for sentences). Another conception, the “monological” one, seeks meaning in the cognitive capacities of the single mind. A third, “dialogical”, conception attributes meaning to interaction between individuals and personal perspectives. In this chapter I directly contrast how well these three approaches deal with the evidence brought forth by fictive interaction. I examine instances of fictive interaction and argue that intersubjectivity in these instances cannot be reduced to either referential-logical or individual-cognitive semantic notions. It follows that intersubjectivity must belong to the essence of linguistic meaning.
Abstract
One may distinguish between three broad conceptions of linguistic meaning. One conception, which I will call “logical”, views meaning as given in reference (for words) and truth (for sentences). Another conception, the “monological” one, seeks meaning in the cognitive capacities of the single mind. A third, “dialogical”, conception attributes meaning to interaction between individuals and personal perspectives. In this chapter I directly contrast how well these three approaches deal with the evidence brought forth by fictive interaction. I examine instances of fictive interaction and argue that intersubjectivity in these instances cannot be reduced to either referential-logical or individual-cognitive semantic notions. It follows that intersubjectivity must belong to the essence of linguistic meaning.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of contributors ix
- Acknowledgements xi
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Part I. Introduction
- Fictive interaction and the conversation frame 3
- Fictive interaction and the nature of linguistic meaning 23
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Part II. Fictive interaction as cognitive reality
- Generic integration templates for fictive communication 45
- Real, imaginary, or fictive? 63
- Silent abstractions versus “ Look at me ” drawings 87
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Part III. Fictive interaction as discourse structure
- Persuading and arguing with the reader 113
- Invocation or apostrophe? 131
- On discourse-motivated “sorries” 151
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Part IV. Fictive interaction as linguistic construction
- What about? 171
- Fictive questions in conditionals? 193
- Intonation of fictive vs. actual direct speech in a Brazilian Portuguese corpus 215
- Polish nominal construction involving fictive interaction 235
- Evidential fictive interaction (in Ungarinyin and Russian) 255
- Recursive inflection and grammaticalized fictive interaction in the southwestern Amazon 277
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Part V. Fictive interaction as communicative strategy
- “Say hello to this ad” 303
- The use of interactive structures as communicative strategy in Dutch and Portuguese aphasic speakers 323
- Echolalia as communicative strategy 343
- About the contributors 363
- Author index 369
- Language index 375
- Subject index 377
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of contributors ix
- Acknowledgements xi
-
Part I. Introduction
- Fictive interaction and the conversation frame 3
- Fictive interaction and the nature of linguistic meaning 23
-
Part II. Fictive interaction as cognitive reality
- Generic integration templates for fictive communication 45
- Real, imaginary, or fictive? 63
- Silent abstractions versus “ Look at me ” drawings 87
-
Part III. Fictive interaction as discourse structure
- Persuading and arguing with the reader 113
- Invocation or apostrophe? 131
- On discourse-motivated “sorries” 151
-
Part IV. Fictive interaction as linguistic construction
- What about? 171
- Fictive questions in conditionals? 193
- Intonation of fictive vs. actual direct speech in a Brazilian Portuguese corpus 215
- Polish nominal construction involving fictive interaction 235
- Evidential fictive interaction (in Ungarinyin and Russian) 255
- Recursive inflection and grammaticalized fictive interaction in the southwestern Amazon 277
-
Part V. Fictive interaction as communicative strategy
- “Say hello to this ad” 303
- The use of interactive structures as communicative strategy in Dutch and Portuguese aphasic speakers 323
- Echolalia as communicative strategy 343
- About the contributors 363
- Author index 369
- Language index 375
- Subject index 377
