2. The semantics of reciprocal constructions across languages
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Asifa Majid
Abstract
How similar are reciprocal constructions in the semantic parameters they encode? We investigate this question by using an extensional approach, which examines similarity of meaning by examining how constructions are applied over a set of 64 videoclips depicting reciprocal events (Evans et al. 2004). We apply statistical modelling to descriptions from speakers of 20 languages elicited using the videoclips. We show that there are substantial differences in meaning between constructions of different languages.
Abstract
How similar are reciprocal constructions in the semantic parameters they encode? We investigate this question by using an extensional approach, which examines similarity of meaning by examining how constructions are applied over a set of 64 videoclips depicting reciprocal events (Evans et al. 2004). We apply statistical modelling to descriptions from speakers of 20 languages elicited using the videoclips. We show that there are substantial differences in meaning between constructions of different languages.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- 1. Introduction 1
- 2. The semantics of reciprocal constructions across languages 29
- 3. Semantics of Khoekhoe reciprocal constructions 61
- 4. Reciprocal constructions in English 75
- 5. Reciprocal constructions in Indo-Pakistani Sign Language 91
- 6. Mundari reciprocals 115
- 7. Description of reciprocal situations in Lao 129
- 8. Reciprocal constructions in Mah Meri 149
- 9. The coding of reciprocal events in Jahai 163
- 10. Reciprocals in Yélî Dnye, the Papuan language of Rossel Island 177
- 11. Reciprocals in Rotokas 195
- 12. Expression of reciprocity in Savosavo 213
- 13. To have and have not 225
- 14. Strategies for encoding reciprocity in Mawng 233
- 15. Reciprocal-marked and marked reciprocal events in Kuuk Thaayorre 251
- 16. Reciprocal constructions in Olutec 265
- 17. Reciprocal constructions in Tsafiki 277
- 18. Reciprocal constructions in Hup 315
- 19. Reciprocals and semantic typology 329
- Addresses 341
- Index 343
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- 1. Introduction 1
- 2. The semantics of reciprocal constructions across languages 29
- 3. Semantics of Khoekhoe reciprocal constructions 61
- 4. Reciprocal constructions in English 75
- 5. Reciprocal constructions in Indo-Pakistani Sign Language 91
- 6. Mundari reciprocals 115
- 7. Description of reciprocal situations in Lao 129
- 8. Reciprocal constructions in Mah Meri 149
- 9. The coding of reciprocal events in Jahai 163
- 10. Reciprocals in Yélî Dnye, the Papuan language of Rossel Island 177
- 11. Reciprocals in Rotokas 195
- 12. Expression of reciprocity in Savosavo 213
- 13. To have and have not 225
- 14. Strategies for encoding reciprocity in Mawng 233
- 15. Reciprocal-marked and marked reciprocal events in Kuuk Thaayorre 251
- 16. Reciprocal constructions in Olutec 265
- 17. Reciprocal constructions in Tsafiki 277
- 18. Reciprocal constructions in Hup 315
- 19. Reciprocals and semantic typology 329
- Addresses 341
- Index 343
