The Cambridge Handbook of Role and Reference Grammar

Description

Role and Reference Grammar (RRG) is a theory of language in which linguistic structures are accounted for in terms of the interplay of discourse, semantics and syntax. With contributions from a team of leading scholars, this Handbook provides a field-defining overview of RRG. Assuming no prior knowledge, it introduces the framework step-by-step, and includes a pedagogical guide for instructors. It features in-depth discussions of syntax, morphology, and lexical semantics, including treatments of lexical and grammatical categories, the syntax of simple clauses and complex sentences, and how the linking of syntax with semantics and discourse works in each of these domains. It illustrates RRG’s contribution to the study of language acquisition, language change and processing, computational linguistics, and neurolinguistics, and also contains five grammatical sketches which show how RRG analyses work in practice. Comprehensive yet accessible, it is essential reading for anyone who is interested in how grammar interfaces with meaning.

Contents

List of Figures page xi
List of Tables xix
List of Contributors xxii
Pedagogical Guide Robert D. Van Valin, Jr. xxiii
Introduction Delia Bentley 1
Part One Overview
1 Principles of Role and Reference Grammar Robert D. Van Valin, Jr. 17
Part Two Topics in RRG: Simple Sentences
2 Lexical and Grammatical Categories in RRG John M. Peterson 181
3 A Conceptually Oriented Approach to Semantic Composition
in RRG Ricardo Mairal Usón and Pamela Faber 218
4 Semantic Macroroles Rolf Kailuweit 242
5 Grammatical Relations Randy J. LaPolla 269
6 Argument Structure Alternations James K. Watters 292
7 Case Assignment Wataru Nakamura 318
8 Morphology in RRG: The Layered Structure of the Word,
Inflection and Derivation Francisco J. Cortés-Rodríguez 368
9 Adverbs, Mimetics and Ideophones Kiyoko Toratani 403
10 Adposition Assignment and Adpositional Phrase Types
in RRG Sergio Ibáñez Cerda 428
11 The RRG Approach to Information Structure Delia Bentley 456
12 Information Structure and Argument Linking Anja Latrouite
and Robert D. Van Valin, Jr. 488
PPart Three Topics in RRG: Complex Sentences
13 The Structure and Semantics of Complex Sentences Toshio Ohori 525
14 Linking Syntax and Semantics in Adverbial
(Adjoined) Clauses Lilián Guerrero 557
15 Cleft Sentences and Relative Clauses Luis París 591
16 Extraction Restrictions in Complex Sentences Mitsuaki Shimojo 616
Part Four Applications of RRG
17 Role and Reference Grammar and Diachronic Syntax Ranko
Matasovi´c 647
18 Functional Acquisition Processes in Child Language: Links to Role
and Reference Grammar Richard M. Weist 666
19 Grammatical Aspects of Language Processing in the Brain: A Role
and Reference Grammar Perspective Robert D. Van Valin, Jr. 693
20 Formalization of RRG Syntax Laura Kallmeyer and Rainer Osswald 737
21 Computational Implementation and Applications of Role and
Reference Grammar Brian Nolan 785
Part Five Grammatical Sketches
22 A Grammatical Sketch of Cheyenne (Plains
Algonquian, USA) Avelino Corral Esteban 823
23 A Grammatical Sketch of Yimas (Lower Sepik, Papua New
Guinea) William A. Foley 861
24 A Grammatical Sketch of Avatime (Kwa, NigerCongo, Ghana) Saskia van Putten and Rebecca Defina 889
25 A Grammatical Sketch of Amele (Papuan, Papua New
Guinea) John R. Roberts 914
26 Case and Voice in Amis (Austronesian, Taiwan) Joy J. Wu 954
Index 983