Constructions of Intersubjectivity

Discourse, Syntax, and Cognition

Arie Verhagen author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oxford University Press

Published:26th May '05

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Constructions of Intersubjectivity cover

Constructions of Intersubjectivity shows that the meaning of grammatical constructions often has more to do with the human cognitive capacity for taking other peoples' points of view than with describing the world. Treating pragmatics, semantics, and syntax in parallel and integrating insights from linguistics, psychology, and animal communication, Arie Verhagen develops a new understanding of linguistic communication. In doing so he shows the continuity between language and animal communication and reveals the nature of human linguistic specialization. Professor Verhagen uses Dutch and English data from a wide variety of sources and considers the contributions of grammar to the coherence of discourse. He argues that important problems in semantics and syntax may be resolved if language is understood as an instrument for exerting influence and coordinating different perspectives. The grammatical phenomena he discusses include negative expressions, the let alone construction, complementation constructions, and discourse connectives. This powerfully argued and original explanation of the nature and operation of communication will interest a wide range of scholars and advanced students in linguistics, cognitive science, and human evolution.

An important book on a fascinating topic in the field of pragmatics and cognition * Pragmatics and Cognition *
An important contribution to the study of language. It proposes a clear and convincing analysis of a number of controversial phenomena in syntax, semantics, and the lexicon, while opening new perspectives in the study of language as a communicative tool * Linguistics *
Verhagens book is a welcome contribution to the study of intersubjective aspects of linguistic meaning. Through a careful investigation of negation, complementation, and discourse connections, the author clearly demonstrates that subjectivity, discourse management, and argumentative orientation are pervasive and fundamentally important, even in what are considered core areas of grammar. Linguists of all persuasions can profit from this volume. * Ronald W. Langacker, University of California, San Diego *

ISBN: 9780199273843

Dimensions: 242mm x 163mm x 20mm

Weight: 544g

264 pages