5. Rhetorical distance revisited: A parameterized approach
-
Christian Chiarcos
Abstract
This paper presents the notion of rhetorical distance within a parameterized framework for discourse-structural accessibility. Based on a minimal set of parameters, it allows for a comparative representation of different theories, and is capable of assessing discourse-structural effects beyond the binary accessibility criterion. This work is motivated by general heterogeneity of approaches that relate discourse structure and pronominalization. The proposed parameterized framework reconstructs three of these approaches on a common foundation. Finally, we outline the results of a comparative empirical study on predictions of these theories for the use of personal pronouns in German and English newspaper corpora.
Abstract
This paper presents the notion of rhetorical distance within a parameterized framework for discourse-structural accessibility. Based on a minimal set of parameters, it allows for a comparative representation of different theories, and is capable of assessing discourse-structural effects beyond the binary accessibility criterion. This work is motivated by general heterogeneity of approaches that relate discourse structure and pronominalization. The proposed parameterized framework reconstructs three of these approaches on a common foundation. Finally, we outline the results of a comparative empirical study on predictions of these theories for the use of personal pronouns in German and English newspaper corpora.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- 1. Constraints in discourse 1
-
Part I. The Right Frontier
- 2. Troubles on right frontier 29
- 3. The moving right frontier 53
-
Part II. Comparing Frameworks
- 4. Strong generative capacity of RST, SDRT and discourse dependency DAGSs 69
- 5. Rhetorical distance revisited: A parameterized approach 97
- 6. Underspecified discourse representation 117
-
Part III. The Cognitive Perspective
- 7. Dependency precedes independence: Online evidence from discourse processing 141
- 8. Accessing discourse referents introduced in negated phrases: Evidence for accomodation? 159
-
Part IV. Language Specific Phenomena
- 9. Complex anaphors in discourse 181
- 10. The discourse functions of the present perfect 201
- 11. German right dislocation and afterthought in discourse 225
- 12. A discourse-relational approach to continuation 249
- 13. German vorfeld-filling as constraint interaction 267
- Index 291
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- 1. Constraints in discourse 1
-
Part I. The Right Frontier
- 2. Troubles on right frontier 29
- 3. The moving right frontier 53
-
Part II. Comparing Frameworks
- 4. Strong generative capacity of RST, SDRT and discourse dependency DAGSs 69
- 5. Rhetorical distance revisited: A parameterized approach 97
- 6. Underspecified discourse representation 117
-
Part III. The Cognitive Perspective
- 7. Dependency precedes independence: Online evidence from discourse processing 141
- 8. Accessing discourse referents introduced in negated phrases: Evidence for accomodation? 159
-
Part IV. Language Specific Phenomena
- 9. Complex anaphors in discourse 181
- 10. The discourse functions of the present perfect 201
- 11. German right dislocation and afterthought in discourse 225
- 12. A discourse-relational approach to continuation 249
- 13. German vorfeld-filling as constraint interaction 267
- Index 291
