Home Indeterminiertheit, Valenzvariation und Verbbedeutung vom Gesichtspunkt der funktionellen Syntax / Indeterminateness, valency variation and verb meaning from a functional syntax perspective
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Indeterminiertheit, Valenzvariation und Verbbedeutung vom Gesichtspunkt der funktionellen Syntax / Indeterminateness, valency variation and verb meaning from a functional syntax perspective

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Published/Copyright: March 15, 2007
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Zeitschrift für germanistische Linguistik
From the journal Volume 34 Issue 1-2

Abstract

This paper deals with the problem of how inherent verb meanings are to be assessed in a synchronic theory of verb valency, given that verbs usually occur in different syntactic patterns and display considerable semantic variation. Moreover, in a recent paper, Fischer (2003) claims that valency is essentially “indeterminate”, because the way verbs build up constructions is subject to various interpretations by different speakers. In the present paper, the variability problem is approached from the point of view of “functional syntax”, a non-generative and non-cognitive theory of grammar developed by Eugenio Coseriu. The paper focuses on the question whether indeterminacy not only holds for valency, but for verb meanings as well. The empirical account is based on a case study of a set of sentences in which the German verb graben occurs in various instantiations, including transparent complex verbal phrases with idiomatic prepositions and metaphorical uses. To adopt the functional approach advanced by Coseriu implies a commitment to account for variability at the level of valency by assuming an invariant general meaning to the verb that licenses all productive occurrences.

Published Online: 2007-03-15
Published in Print: 2006-10-18

© Walter de Gruyter

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  1. Inhalt
  2. Linguistik und Kulturanalyse – Ansichten eines symbiotischen Verhältnisses / Linguistics and cultural analysis – aspects of a symbiotic relationship
  3. „ein nothwendiges Uebel der Cultur“. Anmerkungen zur Kulturwissenschaftlichkeit der Linguistik / “A necessary evil of culture.” Remarks on the cultural-scientific character of linguistics
  4. Die Vertreibung der Kultur aus der Sprache. 13 Reflexionen zu einem reflexionsresistenten Thema / Banishing culture from language
  5. Language, culture and cognition: The view from space / Sprache, Kultur und Kognition: Die Betrachtung vom Raum
  6. Völkerkunde und Linguistik – Ein Plädoyer für interdisziplinäre Kooperation / Ethnology and linguistis – a plea for interdisciplinary cooperation
  7. Sprachgeschichte und Kulturgeschichte: Frühneuzeitliche Graphien als Indikatoren konfessioneller Positionierung / Language history and cultural history: Early Modern writings as indicators of denominational positioning
  8. Orthographie ohne Literalität. Blinde Flecken der Rechtschreibreform / Orthography without literacy: Blind spots of the orthographical reform
  9. „E i n e Verantwortung, E i n Dienst, E i n e Gefolgschaft“ – Kritische Reflexion zu Sprache und Ideologie in Schriften des protestantischen Theologen E. Hirsch / One responsibility, one service, one following – critical reflection on language and ideology in writings of the protestant theologian E. Hirsch
  10. Indeterminiertheit, Valenzvariation und Verbbedeutung vom Gesichtspunkt der funktionellen Syntax / Indeterminateness, valency variation and verb meaning from a functional syntax perspective
  11. Die Grimmschen Handexemplare des Deutschen Wörterbuchs A – F / The Grimm author's copies of the German Dictionary A – F
  12. Ursula Bredel u. a. (Hg.). Didaktik der deutschen Sprache. Paderborn: 2003 / Didactics of the German language
  13. Mehrsprachige Individuen – vielsprachige Gesellschaften. 35. Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für Angewandte Linguistik (GAL) vom 23.–25. September 2004. Bericht aus der Sektion 7: Soziolinguistik / Multilingual individuals – polyglot societies. The 35th annual conference of the Society for Applied Linguistics, 23–25 September 2004. Report from Section 7: Socio-linguistics
  14. „Auf alles gefasst sein: Ausnahmen in der Grammatik“. Bericht über eine Arbeitsgruppe auf der 27. Tagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Sprachwissenschaft (DGfS) in Köln, 23.–25.2.2005 / “Ready for anything: Exceptions in grammar”. Report on a working group at the 27th conference of the German Linguistic Society in Cologne, 23–25 February 2005
  15. „Arbeitskreis linguistische Pragmatik“ Bericht vom 9. Arbeitstreffen an der Universität zu Köln am 22. Februar 2005 / “Working group: linguistic pragmatics”. Report from the 9th workshop at Cologne University on 22 February 2005
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  18. Zeitschriftenschau
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