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Grammatical categories at the Lexicon-Syntax-Semantics interface

The case of prepositions

Abstract

Although it is descriptively useful to classify lexical items into grammatical categories, this classification is not theoretically accurate and it requires a more fine-grained analysis.

This is possible by means of a model like the one presented in this article. In it, each node of a universal syntactic structure encodes an indecomposable semantic component (which can be altered by modifiers). Lexical items lexicalize different chunks of the structure. The category to which they are related and the differences between elements belonging to the same category depend on the chunk they lexicalize.

I show that prepositions, for instance, lexicalize different chunks of the structure around the node Rel(ation) (only Rel, Rel and a modifier or only a modifier of Rel). This explains the different behavior of lexical items included under the label preposition (as can be seen, for instance, in their different possibilities of combination).

Abstract

Although it is descriptively useful to classify lexical items into grammatical categories, this classification is not theoretically accurate and it requires a more fine-grained analysis.

This is possible by means of a model like the one presented in this article. In it, each node of a universal syntactic structure encodes an indecomposable semantic component (which can be altered by modifiers). Lexical items lexicalize different chunks of the structure. The category to which they are related and the differences between elements belonging to the same category depend on the chunk they lexicalize.

I show that prepositions, for instance, lexicalize different chunks of the structure around the node Rel(ation) (only Rel, Rel and a modifier or only a modifier of Rel). This explains the different behavior of lexical items included under the label preposition (as can be seen, for instance, in their different possibilities of combination).

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Preface vii
  4. Introduction 1
  5. Section 1. (Morpho)phonology-Syntax Interface
  6. Syntacticizing blends 27
  7. Does the verb raise to T in Spanish? 47
  8. Locative DPs and deictic adverbs/pronouns in subject position in Brazilian Portuguese 63
  9. A note on the syntax of possession in Paraguayan Guaraní 85
  10. Section 2. Syntax-Semantics interface
  11. Adverbial elatives in Caribbean Spanish 107
  12. On weak definites and their contribution to event kinds 129
  13. The grammaticalization of ‘big’ situations 151
  14. On the scalar properties and telicity of degree achievements 173
  15. Section 3. Syntax-Discourse interface
  16. Multiple Wh-Movement in European Spanish 195
  17. Subextraction at the Discourse-Grammar interface 223
  18. On the de se reading in the de se center shift in Korean 255
  19. Section 4. Lexicon-Syntax interface
  20. Spanish participial adjectives and individual-level/stage-level interpretations in nominals 279
  21. Two types of transitive verbs in Spanish 305
  22. Grammatical categories at the Lexicon-Syntax-Semantics interface 325
  23. State and change of state in Latin 343
  24. Index 367
Boundaries, Phases and Interfaces
This chapter is in the book Boundaries, Phases and Interfaces
https://doi.org/10.1075/la.239.15rom

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Preface vii
  4. Introduction 1
  5. Section 1. (Morpho)phonology-Syntax Interface
  6. Syntacticizing blends 27
  7. Does the verb raise to T in Spanish? 47
  8. Locative DPs and deictic adverbs/pronouns in subject position in Brazilian Portuguese 63
  9. A note on the syntax of possession in Paraguayan Guaraní 85
  10. Section 2. Syntax-Semantics interface
  11. Adverbial elatives in Caribbean Spanish 107
  12. On weak definites and their contribution to event kinds 129
  13. The grammaticalization of ‘big’ situations 151
  14. On the scalar properties and telicity of degree achievements 173
  15. Section 3. Syntax-Discourse interface
  16. Multiple Wh-Movement in European Spanish 195
  17. Subextraction at the Discourse-Grammar interface 223
  18. On the de se reading in the de se center shift in Korean 255
  19. Section 4. Lexicon-Syntax interface
  20. Spanish participial adjectives and individual-level/stage-level interpretations in nominals 279
  21. Two types of transitive verbs in Spanish 305
  22. Grammatical categories at the Lexicon-Syntax-Semantics interface 325
  23. State and change of state in Latin 343
  24. Index 367
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