Chapter 6: Predicates, Arguments and Thematic Roles Flashcards

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1
Q

What are ‘predicates’?

A

‘elements that require the specification of the participants in the proposition expressed’ (Aarts 89)

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2
Q

What are arguments?

A

Participants that are required by the predicate in order for the proposition of the sentence to be fully expressed.

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3
Q

One-place (monadic) predicate

A

a predicate that only takes one argument.

eg. Anna laughed.

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4
Q

Two-place (dyadic) predicate

A

a predicate that requires two arguments.

Eg. Anna saw the film.

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5
Q

internal argument

A

The argument inside the verb phrase, i.e. following the verb.

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6
Q

external argument

A

The argument outside the verb phrase, i.e. the Subject argument.

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7
Q

How do the semantic notions of predicates correspond with syntactical notions?

A

‘It is important to see that the semantic notions one-place predicate, two-place predicate and three-place predicate correspond with the syntactic notions intransitive verb, transitive verb and ditransitive verb.’ (Aarts 90)

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8
Q

How is Predicate different from predicate?

A

Predicate as we learned in Chap 2 is everything in the sentence except the Subject. This is a syntactic use of the term. In Chap 6 ‘predicate’ is used in a semantic sense. Predicator is a functional notion and not to be confused with predicate.

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9
Q

Three-place (triadic) predicate

A

A predicate that requires three predicates

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10
Q

What is a selectional restriction?

A

Sentences that are syntactically well formed, but don’t make sense semantically.

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11
Q

Semantics

A

To do with the meaning of words and sentences.

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12
Q

What is a thematic role?

A

The role a participant/word plays as denoted by the governing verb (predicate) of the sentence.

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13
Q

Agent?

A

The ‘doer’ or instigator of the action denoted by the predicate.

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14
Q

Patient?

A

The ‘undergoer’ of the action or event denoted by the predicate.

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15
Q

Theme?

A

The entity that is moved by the action or event denoted by the predicate.

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16
Q

Experiencer?

A

The living entity that experiences that action or event denoted by the predicate.

17
Q

Goal

A

The location or entity in the direction of which something moves.

18
Q

Benefactive

A

The entity that benefits from the action or event denoted by the predicate.

19
Q

Source?

A

The location of entity from which something moves.

20
Q

Instrument?

A

The medium by which the action or event denoted by the predicate is carried out.

21
Q

Locative?

A

The specification of the place where the action or event denoted by the predicate is situated.

22
Q

Proposition?

A

The specification of a state of affairs.

23
Q

What are the thematic roles Aarts lists?

A

Agent, Patient, Theme, Experiencer, Goal, Benefactive, Source, Instrument, Locative, Proposition.