Form and Function of Linguistic Elements. Formal Systems for Representing Changing Situations. Dynamic Information Systems: Notes on some systems of grammar and interpretation

摘要

This report results from a contract tasking University of London as follows: In two papers, the DoubleR Model will be assessed in light of other current formal theories. The candidate theories/issues for initial consideration will be those that address the nature of the syntax-semantics interface. Beyond the basic level, aspects of meaning relevant to information structural content (topic, focus, contrast and backgrounding) may become relevant, and may help explain some of the results found in Dr Ball's initial study. Paper 1 (Formal) will consist of a general overview of current syntax- semantics research and issues relevant to DoubleR Model and dataset. This will be presented for discussion with the expectation that two or three topics or theories will be selected for more intensive investigation at stage 2. Some likely candidates for examination at this stage include formal approaches in syntax and semantics such as combinatory categorial grammars, 'cartographic' and 'flexible' grammars from the generative tradition, formal accounts of the interaction between syntactic and information structure. These all address issues of multiple categorial structures and the way in which different types/aspects of interpretation can be conveyed by a given utterance in a discourse context. Paper 2 (Formal) will consist of an in-depth review and assessment of selected approaches and topics in the light of theoretical issues posed by the DoubleR Theory and other construction grammar approaches. The end deliverable will be a formally written paper contrasting, comparing and critiquing these theories from the formal, discourse-informational and cognitive perspectives. As a result of this analysis and critique, it is expected that Dr. Ball will be able to further fine tune his theory, resulting in the best possible model to implement in the VERBOSE Project.