Syntax Commons^™

Xnl-Soar, Incremental Parsing, And The Minimalist Program, Deryle W. Lonsdale, Lareina Hingson, Jamison Cooper-Leavitt, David W. Casbeer, Rebecca Madsen

Faculty Publications

Minimalist Principles (Chomsky 1995)

Hierarchy of Projections (Adger 2003)

Features play a central role

NP, VP symmetry including shells

Learning In Minimalism-Based Language Modeling, Deryle W. Lonsdale

Faculty Publications

The natural language version of the Soar cognitive modeling system (Newell, 1990) has enabled a number of language modeling applications from on-line parsing behavior (Lewis, 1993) to simultaneous interpretation (Lonsdale, 1997, 1998) to robotic control (Benjamin, Lonsdale, & Lyons, 2004). The system supports an integrated approach to incremental comprehension and generation. Learning mechanisms account for processes in language performance from deliberate, explicit reasoning to automatic, recognitional expertise.

Syntactic processing in prior versions of the system followed the Principles and Parameters approach to syntax.

Disjunction In Free Choice And Polarity In Malagasy, Ileana Paul

French Studies Publications

No abstract provided.

Or, Wh- And Not: Free Choice And Polarity In Malagasy, Ileana Paul

French Studies Publications

This paper explores the distribution of Free Choice Items (FCI) and Negative Polarity Items (NPI) in Malagasy. Both FCIs and NPIs in Malagasy are syntactically complex: they are expressed by disjunctions of wh-words. It is shown that this morphosyntactic structure directly reflects their semantics. In other words, FCIs and NPIs are semantically as well as syntactically disjunctive. Moreover, the Malagasy data support analyses of disjunction as a polarity sensitive element.

An Examination Of Tag-Questions And Ellipsis In English And Spanish, Tiffany Judy

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

In this paper, I will examine how tag-questions function in English and test if they function in the same way in Spanish. Then, I will compare the differences between the two languages and propose a structure and method for forming tag-questions in each language. Also, I will examine how ellipsis functions in each language and how it supports the analysis of the tag-questions. Finally, I will show that a few of the apparent differences between the two languages are incorrect and I will give my proposed solution.

National Stereotypes In Teaching English As A Foreign Language, Radmila Popovic

MA TESOL Collection

This thesis explores how to deal with lexically encoded national stereotypes in the second language classroom. I address this question starting with previous research on stereotypes, and discussing a principled approach to interrelating insights from a variety of paradigms and disciplines. Then I shift to the linguistic analysis of nationality words in English - phrases, idioms and proverbs, as well as connotations which these lexical items are capable of developing in certain contexts. Finally, I consider the implication of the findings for foreign language teaching, and suggest a pedagogical model for dealing with stereotypes in the language classroom.

Expanding Tree Adjoining Grammar To Create Junction Grammar Trees, Deryle W. Lonsdale, Ronald Millett

Faculty Publications

Junction Grammar (JG) combines junction operators, multiple linked syntax/semantics trees, and flexible traversal algorithms. The multiple tree and flexible ordering characteristics of MC-TAG and other TAG extensions are somewhat analogous. This paper proposes that these similarities can be integrated to form a new approach, JG-TAG. Relevant aspects of both theories and the proposed new model are discussed in turn, and representative examples are sketched.

Nl-Soar Update, Deryle W. Lonsdale

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Multiple Topics: Evidence From Malagasy, Ileana Paul

French Studies Publications

No abstract provided.

The Syntactic Encoding Of Topic And Focus, Ileana Paul

French Studies Publications

No abstract provided.

An Error Analysis Of English Interrogatives : A Case Study, Jr. Abd Manaff Abd. Rahman

Student Works (2000-2009)

This is an error analysis study on the interrogatives formed by 80 Form V students of Sekolah Menengah Ugama (Arab), Shamsul Maarif, Pulai Chondong, Machang Kelantan. Though these students have been learning English for 12 years, many still find it difficult to form wh and yes-no questions. The errors studied are confined to lexical errors and errors in 'fronting,' a syntactic consideration. In other words, the study will look at whether the correct question words have been put in front of the questions when forming wh questions and yes-no questions using verbs to-be, auxiliary verbs 'have', 'medals' and 'do' verbs. …

Analisis Kesilapan Sintaksis Dalam Karangan Di Kalangan Pelajar Prauniversiti : Satu Kajian Kes, Normaizam Hamid

Student Works (2000-2009)

The objective of this research is to obtain information on syntax error analysis of the Malay language among Upper Six Malay students of SMK Seri Nering, Besut, Terengganu. It aims to identify the types and frequency (occurrence) of errors in sentences made by both male and female respondents. The data of the research is collected by analyzing two written essay tests of each respondent to find out the errors made by students at the sentencial level. Questionnaires were also used to get results and achievement level of the BM paper in the SPM examination as well as information about students …

A Syntactic Study Of Errors In Tense Of Malays Learning Arabic : With Special Reference To Iium, Matriculation Centre Students, Abdelnasir Osman Abdalla Subair

Student Works (2000-2009)

This is a syntactic study of errors of tense forms of Malays learning Arabic at the International Islamic University Malaysia Matriculation Center. The main aim of this study is to investigate grammatical errors in the area of the verb inflection for tense in both nominal sentences and verbal sentences of 180 scripts written by a group of pre-university level students. The thesis studies types or errors and their underlying causes. The study also suggests a remedial plan which includes leaching grammar. correcting students' errors, and designing a language syllabus. The statistical analysis shows that the learners' errors amounted to 1062. …

A Categorial Grammar Fragment For Lushootseed, Deryle W. Lonsdale

Faculty Publications

This paper establishes a basic framework for a Categorial Grammar (CG) description ofLushootseed morpho syntax and semantics. After a brief review of English CG principles, a preliminary attempt is made to apply these fundamentals to Lushootseed free and bound morphemes. Several sample derivations are presented. including one rather complex syntactic ambigiuty previously noted in the literature with its alternative descriptions. Once the syntactic elements have been put in place a short overview is presented of how semantic interpretation can be established in tandem with syntactic composition principles. Finally, the implementation of this framework within the Attribute Logic Engine environment is …

Penyimpangan Bahasa Dalam Karya Kreatif : Kajian Terhadap Novel Tok Guru Dan Di Hadapan Pulau, Mat Hassan Abdullah

Student Works (2000-2009)

Kajian ini merupakan satu kajian yang bersifat terapan, iaitu menghubungkan rumus-rumus tatabahasa dengan pelaksanaan rumus-rumus tersebut dalam penulisan karya sastera. Tujuan utama kajian ini ialah meninjau penyimpangan bahasa dalam karya sastera (prosa) yang dipilih. Kajian ini melibatkan penyimpangan tatabahasa, morfologi, dan sintaksis. Kajian ini dilakukan terhadap dua buah novel pilihan karya Sasterawan Negara, ialtu Tok Guru, karya Shahnon Ahmad dan Di Hadapan Pu/au, karya A. Samad Said. Kajian ini menggunakan kerangka Tatabahasa Transformasi-Generatif sebagai model analisis. Kajian dijalankan berdasarkan kajian kepustakaan dan analisis teks. Dapatan analisis membuktikan bahawa sememangnya berlaku penyimpangan bahasa dalam karya sastera. Dalam Di Hadapan Pu/au, dengan …

Analisis Tazkir Dan Ta'nith Kata Kerja Untuk Pelaku Mu'annath Yang Sama Di Dalam Al-Quran, Mohd Nazmi Desa

Student Works (2000-2009)

This dissertation is entitled "The Analysis of Verb Tadhkir and Ta'nith for The Same Feminine Doer in The AI-Quran" which consists of five chapters. Chapter one is the introductory which discusses the problems, previous researches, objectives, importance, limitations, methodology and outline of research. The second chapter deals with the inquest of "tadhkir" and ta'nith" in Arabic which comprises three main topics; definition of "tadhkir", "ta'nith" and mu'annath", symbols and division of uta'nlth". Chapter three covers the principles of the verb "tadhkir" and "ta'nith" of the same doer are divided into three, namely obligatary "tadhk1r", obligatary "ta'nTth" and optional "tadhkTr" and …

Pemakaian Al-Nawasikh Pada Ayat Namaan Dalam Bahasa Arab, Ghazali Majid

Student Works (2000-2009)

Annullers represent active elements used in nominal sentences and play a role with definite functions. Annulers influence changes in the meaning of a sentence and the declension of the sentence. Wrong interpretation in the understanding of the function can cause irregularities in the meaning end vowels of a word. This occurs especially because of differences in the contraction of a sentence between the Arabic language and the Malay language. Moreover discussions and annular are abundant because there are many varieties and branches of annullers , if is difficult to understand as wen as to remember them for implementation in written …

Pemerolehan Dan Penguasaan Bahasa Di Kalangan Kanak-Kanak, Noor Azmira Mohamed

Student Works (2000-2009)

Kajian dilakukan untuk melihat tahap pemerolehan dan penguasaan bahasa di kalangan kanak-kanak yang berusia 2.6 tahun dan 3.7 tahun berdasarkan analisis am, analisis sintaksis dan semantik bahasa Melayu. Kedua-­dua sampel merupakan kanak-kanak Melayu yang mempunyai latar belakang bahasa yang sama iaitu dilahirkan dan dibesarkan di Kelantan. Oleh itu bahasa pertama kedua-dua mereka ialah bahasa Melayu dialek Kelantan. Oleh kerana kedua-dua sampel yang dipilih terdiri daripada kanak-kanak Melayu yang dibesarkan dalam masyarakat Melayu dan menggunakan bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa pertama dalam sebarang bentuk perhubungan, maka analisis bagi melihat tahap pemerolehan dan penguasaan bahasa di kalangan mereka juga akan dilakukan berdasarkan aspek-aspek …

An Operator-Based Account Of Semantic Processing, Deryle W. Lonsdale, C. Anton Rytting

Faculty Publications

This paper explores issues of psychological plausibility in modeling natural language understanding within Soar, a symbolic cognitive model. It focuses on constructing syntactic and semantic representations in simulated real time, with particular emphasis on word sense disambiguation (WSD). We discuss (i) what level of WSD should be modeled and (ii) how to use resources such as WordNet to inform these models. A preliminary model of coarse-grained WSD is included to show how syntactic, semantic, and other knowledge sources interact in Soar. Finally, we explore issues of interleaving, learning, and integrating other WSD approaches with Soar's native model of learning.

Malagasy Clause Structure, Ileana M. Paul

French Studies Publications

This thesis explores the nature of voice in Malagasy, a language spoken in Madagascar. In chapter 2, it is claimed that different passives promote arguments from different structural positions. Evidence is provided for a particular position, [Spec, v2P], where a certain class of elements (“displaced themes”) may be generated. One particular passive, the aprefix, promotes to subject elements in this position. In chapter 3, arguments are presented in favour of a structural analysis of circumstantial topic (CT). CT morphology licenses all arguments of the verb. Due to a requirement that all clauses have a subject (the Extended Projection Principle), some …

The Current Relevance Of Nannul Collatikaram In Modern Tamil, Omonora K. Kathamuthu

Student Works (2000-2009)

Kajian ini adalah mengenai satu buku tatabahasa Tamil, Nannül, yang dikarang oleh seorang sami bernama Pavananti, pada tahun 1200 - 1300 A.D. Buku ini ada dua bahagian besar iaitu fonologi dalam bahagian pertama dan morfologi serta sintaksis dalam bahagian. Buku ini ditulis dalam bentuk sajak. Ia 462 sútra. Ramai pengulas telah menghasilkan ulasan dan keterangan mengenai buku Nannul yang telah menyenangkan jenerasi kini untuk memahami sutra-sutra yang terdapat dalam buku Nannul serta teori-teori dan peraturan-peraturan penulis buku Nannül. Kajian Inl menumpukan kepada bahagian kedua yang memperkatakan tentang morfologi dan sintaksis. Satu tajuk, "pataviyal' daripada bahaglan pertama juga diambll kira sebab …

Analisis Ayat Berpredikat Frasa Kerja : Satu Pendekatan Tata Bahasa Kasus, Samsur Rijal Yahaya

Student Works (2000-2009)

Disertasi ini mengungkapkan struktur ayat berfrasa kerja dalam bahasa Malaysia. Untuk menjabarkannya, digunakan Teori Tata Bahasa Kasus yang dipelopori oleh Charles Fillmore. Penelitian ini menggunakan data yang dikumpulkan dari sebuah novel iaitu Menrouw Toga yang ditulis oleh Sasterawan Negara Arena Wati. Penulis mengumpulkan data melalui metode catatan tentang satuan tematis. Pada tahap analisis data, telah digunakan metode distribusional dengan teknik substitu si, delesi, dan ekspansi. Kemudian metode distribusional ini digabungkan pula dengan teknik lmmideate Constituens (ICs). lmplikasi dan pengaplikasian Teori Tata Bahasa Kasus ini, suatu ayat terdiri atas proposisi. Proposisi terbahagi kepada Verba dan Argumen-argumennya. Argumen-argumen inilah yang diberi label …

Penggunaan Al-Damair Dalam Karangan, Manisah Mohd. Nor

Student Works (2000-2009)

This dissertation, which is entitled 'Usage of "Al-Damair" in Composition Writing An Analytical Study of Incorrect Use of "damir" in Compositions Written by Form IV Malay Students', is a partial fulfillment for Master of Arts, Faculty of modern Languages and Linguistics, The University of Malaya. This thesis has several objectives. The first is to highlight the importance of the proper and precise use of damir in the Arabic Language. The second objectives is to ascertain the level of performance and understanding in the use of damir by Malay students from religious schools. The third is to identify the causes of …

Penggunaan Isim Ma'rifat Di Kalangan Pelajar-Pelajar Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama : Satu Analisis Kesilapan, Ali Hinbdul Latif

Student Works (2000-2009)

A research on the use of 'isim' or noun in certain languages in Arabic language is the knowledge threshold which is never been in touched widely and in detail. As a matter of fact, it is recognized as difficult by a lot of language lovers particularly on school students, college students and undergraduates. We normally hear people saying learning Arabic language is the hardest and most challenging. Due to this realization the writer has chosen this research entitled 'The Use Of Isim Ma' rifat Among Students In Religious School: An Analysis Of Mistake'. May be this is the solution to …

The Effect Of Usage On Degrees Of Constituency: The Reduction Of Don't In English, Joan Bybee, Joanne Scheibman

English Faculty Publications

In this paper we take the position that there are many degrees of constituency and that these derive in a direct manner from the frequency with which elements are used together: elements that are frequently found next to each other show a tighter constituent structure than those that collocate less frequently. We use both phonological and functional evidence from conversation to argue that repetition conditions chunking (Haiman 1994), sometimes overriding the syntactic and semantic logic of the organization of utterances. Our study examines the reduction of don't in American English conversation. We find that don't is reduced the most in …

Syntactic Theory And The Structure Of English: A Minimalist Approach, By A. Radford, Robert Stainton

Philosophy Publications

No abstract provided.

Syntactic And Semantic Properties Of Intensive Reflexives In English, Marek R. Marciniak

Masters Theses

This thesis explores syntactic and semantic properties of intensive reflexives (IRs) in English. The study is based on examples selected from the following on-line databases: Wilson Humanities Abstracts and The New York Times Book Review Digest Abstracts. The analysis also incorporates examples cited from linguistic articles on the subject of RRs and IRs.

As opposed to regular reflexives (RRs), IRs have not been given sufficient consideration in linguistic accounts. As a point of departure, the author utilizes Quirk's and Greenbaum's descriptive framework to examine the evidence from the database. Since RRs are discussed more extensively than IRs in this framework, …

A Note On 'Pedir' And Control In Spanish, Robert Stainton

Philosophy Publications

No abstract provided.

A Syntactical Approach To Mr. Collins' Letter, Shixing Wen

Libraries Faculty & Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Syntactic Complexity, Error And The Holistic Evaluation Of Esl Student Essays, John S. Sparks

Dissertations and Theses

This study was designed to test five hypotheses in order to answer the following general research questions: 1) Are measures of syntactic complexity valid indices of ESL writing quality as measured by the holistic rating of student essays? 2) Would a measure of frequency and seriousness of error reflect evaluators' perceptions of ESL writing quality?