Language and Definitions
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“Joking, Kidding, Teasing”: Slippery Categories for Cross-Cultural
Intercultural Pragmatics 2018; 15(4): 487–514 Cliff Goddard* “Joking, kidding, teasing”: Slippery categories for cross-cultural comparison but key words for understanding Anglo conversational humor https://doi.org/10.1515/ip-2018-0017 Abstract: Terms like to joke (and joking)andto tease (and teasing)havea curious double life in contrastive and interactional pragmatics and related fields. Occasionally they are studied as metapragmatic terms of ordinary English, along with related expressions such as kidding. More commonly they are used as scientific or technical categories, both for research into English and for cross-linguistic and cross-cultural comparison. Related English adjectives, such as jocular and mock, are also much-used in a growing lexicon of compound terms, such as jocular abuse, mock abuse, jocular mock- ery,andthelike. Against this background, the present paper has three main aims. In the first part, it is argued that the meanings of the verbs to joke and to tease (and related nouns) are much more English-specific than is commonly recognized. They are not precisely cross-translatable even into European languages such as French and German. Adopting such termsasbaselinecategoriesforcross- cultural comparison therefore risks introducing an Anglocentric bias into our theoretical vocabulary. Nor can the problem be easily solved, it is argued, by attributing technical meanings to the terms. Detailed analysis of the everyday meanings of words like joking and teasing, on the other hand, can yield insights into the ethnopragmatics of Anglo con- versational humor. This task is undertaken in the second part of the paper. The important English verb to kid and the common conversational formulas just kidding and only joking are also examined. -
FURTHER REMARKS on DEFINITION and ANALYSIS 19 Cf
FURTHER REMARKS ON DEFINITION AND ANALYSIS 19 Cf. C. G. Hempel and Paul Oppenheim, "The Logic of Explanation," Philosophy of Science, vol. 15 (1948). While this definition is adequate for many purposes, it is oversimplified in some ways. Theorem 1 depends on the form of this definition, but our general approach is consistent with any explieatum of 'explain.' 1~ Cf. footnote 6. i~ For example, T'~ may state that T~ holds under specified conditions. le Cf. H. Feigl's contribution to the symposium on operationism in the Psychological Review, vol. 52, no. 5 (September 1945). Further Remarks on Definition and Analysis by IRVING M. COPI UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN A NUMBER of acute criticisms have been directed against some of the views presented in my essay "Analytical Philosophy and Analytical Propositions" (this journal, December 1953). I welcome them as providing stimulation and opportunity for penetrating more deeply into the issues involved. The central notion in my discussion is that of a theoretical de/init/on. A theoretical definition of a term is intended to formulate a theoretically adequate characterization of the objects to which that term applies. One gives a theoretical definition of a term to attach to the term, as intension, that property which in the context of a given theory is most useful for understanding or predicting the behavior of those entities which comprise the (usual) extension of that term. In his "Definitions in Analytical Philosophy" (this journal, April 1954) Michael Scriven has correctly observed that a given theoretical definition is compatible with a wide range of different theories (p. -
Kuhnian Incommensurability Between Two Paradigms of Contemporary Linguistics
Kuhnian Incommensurability Between Two Paradigms of Contemporary Linguistics Philip Smith Ph.D. Thesis School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics The University of Sheffield March 2011 Slowly we are learning, We at least know this much, That we have to unlearn Much that we were taught, And are growing chary Of emphatic dogmas; Love like matter is much Odder than we thought. From 'Heavy Date' by W.H.Auden I must review my disbelief in angels. Brian Patten - Angel Wings Abstract This dissertation proposes a theory of reference for the language of scien- tific theories. This theory of reference looks at the nature of postulation in scientific theories, and shows that mental posits are metaphorical in na- ture. It is a hybrid of internalist and extensive reference theories. This, allied with the competing epistemological assumptions of competing schools of ltngutsttcs, can account for the existence of incommensurability across two paradigms of ltngutsttcs, The relationship between transformational generative grammar and socio- linguistics is vexed. Both claim the same object of study, but with radi- cally different methods and aims. This dissertation shows that the meta- phorical nature of the posits used in each leads to incommensurable vo- cabularies. Thomas Kuhn's notions of paradigms and incommensurability are used to elucidate this relationship. Chapter one proposes and explains the theory of reference. Chapter two defines the major areas of the thesis. Chapter three explores the history of linguists claiming that a particular area of linguistics instantiates a Kuhnian paradigm, and looks at arguments concerning the possibilities for studying language scientifically. Chapter four explores the epistemological bases of TGG and sociolinguistics, starting from Chomsky's claims to do 'Cartesian linguistics', and concludes that opposing epistemological com- mitments lead to incommensurability. -
Lecture 5. Formal Semantics and the Lexicon. Meaning Postulates And
Topics in Formal Semantics, Lecture 5 Topics in Formal Semantics, Lecture 5 B.H. Partee, MGU, March 22, 2005 B.H. Partee, MGU, March 22, 2005 Lecture 5. Formal semantics and the lexicon. Ideally, this abstraction should mirror a “real” abstraction which our “language faculty” Meaning postulates and the lexicon. Adjective meanings. imposes on the real world, “natural language metaphysics” or “naïve picture of the world” (naivnaja kartina mira in the terminology of Moscow semantic school). We will discuss this later when considering the integration of formal and lexical semantics. 1. The Lexicon in Model-theoretic Semantics. .................................................................................................1 1.1. Languages, world, models. Axioms.............................................................................................................1 In Montague’s formal semantics the simple predicates of the language of intensional 1.2. Axioms and theories. ..................................................................................................................................2 logic (IL), like love, like, kiss, see, etc., are regarded as symbols (similar to the “labels” of 2. Integrating formal semantics, lexical semantics, natural language metaphysics ...............................................4 PC) which could have many possible interpretations in many different models, their “real 2.1. Formal semantics in the broader setting of natural language use. ...............................................................4 -
An Introduction to Lexical Semantics for Students of Translation
IMOLA KATALIN NAGY AN INTRODUCTION TO LEXICAL SEMANTICS FOR STUDENTS OF TRANSLATION STUDIES SAPIENTIA HUNGARIAN UNIVERSITY OF TRANSYLVANIA FACULTY OF TECHNICAL AND HUMAN SCIENCES, TÂRGU-MUREŞ DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED LINGUISTICS IMOLA KATALIN NAGY AN INTRODUCTION TO LEXICAL SEMANTICS FOR STUDENTS OF TRANSLATION STUDIES SCIENTIA Publishing House Cluj-Napoca · 2017 The book was published with the support of: Publisher-in-chief: Zoltán Kása Readers: Andrea Peterlicean (Târgu-Mureş) Judit Szabóné Papp (Miskolc) The author takes all the professional responsibility for the present volume. Series cover: Dénes Miklósi First English edition: 2017 © Scientia, 2017 All rights reserved, including the rights for photocopying, public lecturing, radio and television broadcast, and translation of the whole work and of chapters as well. Descrierea CIP a Bibliotecii Naţionale a României IMOLA, KATALIN NAGY An introduction to lexical semantics for students of translation studies / Imola Katalin Nagy. - Cluj-Napoca : Scientia, 2017 ISBN 978-606-975-003-2 81 CONTENTS Preface . 11 1. Introduction . 13 2. History of semantics . 31 3. Defining semantics. Defining meaning . 39 4. Approaches to meaning . 53 5. Semantic relations . 73 6. Semantic roles . 105 7. Theories of meaning . 109 8. Types of meaning . 131 9. Changes of meaning . 161 10. Semantics and translation . 183 Bibliography . 203 Rezumat: Introducere în semantica lexicală pentru studenţii de la traductologie . 207 Kivonat: Bevezetés a jelentéstanba fordító szakos hallgatók számára . 209 About the author . 211 TARTALOMJEGYZÉK Előszó . 11 1. Bevezető . 13 2. A szemantika története . 31 3. A jelentéstan és a jelentés meghatározása . 39 4. A jelentés fogalmának értelmezései . 53 5. Szemantikai viszonyok . 73 6. Szemantikai szerepek . 105 7. -
Developing a Theoretical Framework of Responsiveness In
DEVELOPING A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK OF RESPONSIVENESS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS by DIVYA NARENDRA BHEDA A DISSERTATION Presented to the Department of Education Studies and the Graduate School of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy June 2013 DISSERTATION APPROVAL PAGE Student: Divya Narendra Bheda Title: Developing a Theoretical Framework of Responsiveness in Educational Institutions and Non-Profit Organizations This dissertation has been accepted and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in the Department of Education Studies by: Dr. Ronald Beghetto Co-Chair Dr. Joanna Goode Co-Chair Dr. Mia Tuan Member Dr. Patricia A. Curtin Outside Member and Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy Vice President for Research & Innovation/Dean of the Graduate School Original approval signatures are on file with the University of Oregon Graduate School. Degree awarded June 2013 ii © 2013 Divya Narendra Bheda iii DISSERTATION ABSTRACT Divya Narendra Bheda Doctor of Philosophy Department of Education Studies June 2013 Title: Developing a Theoretical Framework of Responsiveness in Educational Institutions and Non-Profit Organizations A number of education institutions and non-profit organizations seek to be responsive toward the stakeholders they serve. They engage in numerous organizational and evaluative processes to be perceived as responsive. They consider evaluating and improving responsiveness, important to their practice. Unfortunately, such efforts are often impeded because there is a lack of clear understanding regarding what “responsiveness” means. One reason is that the current professional literature on responsiveness provides fragmented, ambiguous, and limited definitions of responsiveness. -
Wittgenstein and Nietzsche: Two Critics of Philosophy
Wittgenstein and Nietzsche: Two Critics of Philosophy by Anu Koshal Graduate Program in Literature Duke University Date: July 23, 2010 Approved: ___________________________ Toril Moi, Supervisor __________________________ Richard Fleming __________________________ V.Y. Mudimbe __________________________ Michael Hardt Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate Program in Literature in the Graduate School of Duke University 2010 ABSTRACT Wittgenstein and Nietzsche: Two Critics of Philosophy by Anu Koshal Graduate Program in Literature Duke University Date: July 23, 2010 Approved: ___________________________ Toril Moi, Supervisor __________________________ Richard Fleming __________________________ V.Y. Mudimbe __________________________ Michael Hardt An abstract submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate Program in Literature in the Graduate School of Duke University 2010 ii Copyright by Anu Koshal 2010 iii ABSTRACT Few philosophers have been more critical of the Western philosophical tradition than Friedrich Nietzsche and Ludwig Wittgenstein. Nietzsche and Wittgenstein did not just reject the conclusions of their philosophical predecessors; they rejected their most basic assumptions. They rejected the very idea of philosophy as the attempt to rationally develop objective theories of the world. And yet Wittgenstein and Nietzsche have now been absorbed into the discipline they wanted to abolish. This dissertation attempts to recapture the force and extent of their respective criticisms of philosophy, and evaluate their conceptions of what philosophy should be. I begin by examining Wittgenstein’s claim that philosophical problems rest on a misunderstanding of language. I show that this claim does not entail a quietist refusal to engage in philosophical problems, as many have argued. -
Characterizing the Definitions of Anatomical Concepts in Wordnet and Specialized Sources
Characterizing the definitions of anatomical concepts in WordNet and specialized sources Olivier BODENREIDER Anita BURGUN National Library of Medicine Laboratoire d’Informatique Médicale 8600 Rockville Pike Avenue du Pr Léon Bernard Bethesda, MD, 20894 35043 Rennes Cedex, France [email protected] [email protected] Abstract Objectives : The objective of this study is to characterize the definitions of anatomical concepts in a general terminological system (WordNet) and a domain-specific one (a medical dictionary). Methods : Definitions were first classified into five groups with respect to the nature of the definition. The principal noun phrase (or head) of the definiens was then compared to the definiendum through a reference hierarchy of anatomical concepts. Results : This study confirms the predominance of genus-differentia definitions for anatomical terms. Hierarchical relationships are, as expected, the principal type of relationships found between the definiendum and the head of the definiens. Discussion : Differences in the characteristics of the definitions between WordNet and medical dictionaries are presented and discussed. Introduction We are interested in characterizing the definitions of medical terms in various sources in order to get a better understanding of their structure. Our ultimate goal, though, is to obtain a representation of the definitions in a formalism such as conceptual graphs in order to compare definitions from various sources. This study is part of a larger project aimed at comparing definitions of medical terms in specialized sources such as medical dictionaries with those in general resources such as WordNet . In other words, our goal is to compare definitions of medical terms for health professionals and for users of consumer health applications. -
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Ⱥ¼ì²´²ÜàôÂÚàôÜ Tatev GYURJYAN Yerevan State University [email protected] LEXICAL DEFINITION: ITS SCOPE AND SIGNIFICANCE Understanding the notion of definition is a central issue in such scientific disciplines as Philosophy, Semantics, and Lexicography. The paper considers different types of definitions focusing on lexical definition, which is the main component of a dictionary entry. An attempt is made to designate lexical definition and stipulative definition as subcategories of word-thing definition. Key words: nominal definition, word-thing definition, lexical definition, stipulative definition, truth value Definition is the main component of a dictionary entry. It can be long or short, accompanied by an example or an image. What kind of definition is presented in dictionaries? Many lexicographers would claim it is lexical definition. To have a comprehensive idea of lexical definition it is necessary to designate its place in the hierarchy of different types of definition. In its wider sense definition is not confined to a single field of science, but rather represents the product of the cognitive ability of an individual to define things, concepts, and words. The ancient tradition of defining definition mostly revolves around the following two main types – real and nominal. The former as proposed by Plato and Aristotle is the only true and universal definition of things, which is not conditioned by the word usage; the latter is the description of the word meaning, i.e. the definition of words /see Gyurjyan, 2016/. This differentiation is also adopted by Richard Robinson. In his book Definition he first of all draws a distinction between the purpose of definition (what it is trying to do) and the method of definition (how it is achieved). -
About the Conventionality of Simultaneity and Synchronization
20th IMEKO TC4 International Symposium and 18th International Workshop on ADC Modelling and Testing Research on Electric and Electronic Measurement for the Economic Upturn Benevento, Italy, September 15-17, 2014 About the conventionality of simultaneity and synchronization Luigi Maxmilian Caligiuri1, Alfonso Nastro2 1 Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy, [email protected] FoPRC – Foundation of Physics Research Center, Celico (CS), Italy, [email protected] 2 Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy, [email protected] Abstract – The conceptual and operative definition of possible inertial frames [1], whose origin is substantially simultaneity is fundamental not only from a purely “electrodynamics” because it describes a specific theoretical point of view but also in order to ensure property of light arising from Maxwell equations and it is the correctness of metrological practices, because of not required by the internal consistence of STR itself [1]. its implication upon synchronization procedures. In It has been shown, in fact, that it is possible, by this paper we’ll critically analyze the main possible considering only homogeneity of empty space and time definitions of simultaneity, discussing the consequence and the Relativity Principle (RP), to build “alternative” of each of them upon the synchronization process and versions of Special Theory of Relativity (STR), without how the choice of the right method is far from assuming the invariance of light velocity in vacuum [1]. obvious. When these alternatives are considered they give rise to different conceptual and operative versions of definition I. -
Chapter 02 Test A
MULTIPLE CHOICE 1 : Which of the following statements has primarily cognitive meaning? A : Private insurance companies regularly overbill the Medicare program. B : From what I saw last night, its clear that your little brother is a brat. C : Justin Timberlakes latest CD is positively stunning. D : Professor Gibson delivered a moronic lecture today on Platos metaphysics. E : Everyone with a functioning brain rejects religious fundamentalism. Correct Answer : A 2 : Which of the following statements expresses a value claim? A : Animal rights groups argue that live animals should not be used as mascots. B : The recent jobs report raised fears of a recession among Wall Street investors. C : Piracy continues to be a drag on the motion picture industry. D : The Los Angeles Times is a better paper than the San Francisco Chronicle. E : Diabetes poses a serious threat to the health of the elderly. Correct Answer : D 3 : Which of the following statements is vague? A : Tahiti is located in French Polynesia. B : American workers are more productive than the workers in any other country. C : Art work at the Genesis gallery tends to be expensive. D : Mabel shot her husband while taking a bath. E : Polar bears are threatened by global warming. Correct Answer : C 4 : Which of the following statements is ambiguous? A : Anniversaries are usually occasions for celebration. B : Homes in the new River Front development are reasonably priced. C : The Thanksgiving holiday always occurs in November. D : Boalt Hall is part of the University of California. E : Professor Hays talked about sex in the seminar room. -
Morphology, Material for Incorporation in Curricula
REPOR TRESUMES ED 019 258 24 TE 000 261 MORPHOLOGY, MATERIAL FORINCORPORATION IN CURRICULAOF GRADES 11 AND 12. NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIV.,DE KALB 'REPORT NUMBER CRP-H-144-2 PUB DATE AUG 66 REPORT NUMBER BR -5- 1112-2 CONTRACT OEC-4-10-252 EDRS PRICE MF-$0.50 HC-$4.66 115P. DESCRIPTORS- *LANGUAGE INSTRUCTIONS*MORPHOLOGY (LANGUAGES), *CURRICULUM GUIDES, *ENGLISHINSTRUCTION, *FORM CLASSES (LANGUAGES), APPLIED LINGUISTICS,LANGUAGE GUIDES, GRAMMAR, PHONOLOGY, SYNTAX, GRACE119 .GRADE 12, SECONDARYEDUCATION, LANGUAGE, NORTHERN ILLINOISUNIVERSITY, DEKALB, PROJECT ENGLISH, THIS 'NORTHERN ILLINOISUNIVERSITY PROJECT ENGLISHUNIT IS PLANNED TO COMPLEMENT THEGRAMMAR WHICH 11TH- AND 12TH-GRADE STUDENTS ALREADYKNOW, AND TO ENRICH THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE ENGLISHLANGUAGE. THOUGH NOT PRIMARILY AN INTRODUCTION TO THE PARTSOF SPEECH, THE UNIT'ROVIDES SECTIONS ON NOUNS, VERBS ANDAUXILIARIES, ADJECTIVES, ADVERBS, CONJUNCTIONS, SUBORDINATORS,SENTENCE CONNECTORS, PRONOUNS, AND QUALIFIERS. THE UNITALSO CONTAINS (1) A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE PARTSOF SPEECH,(2) A LESSON PLAN TO INTRODUCE MORPHEMICS,. (3) ANINTRODUCTION TO VOCABULARY STUDY, (4) A SECTION ON DERIVATIONALSUFFIXES,(5) A LESSON USING THE PARTS OF SPEECH INTEACHING THE ESSAY OF DEFINITION,(6) AN INTRODUCTION TO A12TH-GRADE UNIT ON THE PARTS OF SPEECH AND FORMALDEFINITION, AND (7)A TEST ON PHONOLOGY, MORPHOLOGY, AND SYNTAX.PARTS OR ALL OF THIS UNIT CAN BE USED (1) PRECEDING OR FOLLOWING A UNIT ON SYNTAX, (2) FOLLOWING A UNIT ON PHONOLOGY, (3) IN AN HONORS SENIOR ENGLISH CLASS, OR (4) TO ENRICHA PROGRAM FOR SUPERIOR STUDENTS. (MM) It.,1 110 e 'PO 13B MORPHOLOGY Material for incorporation in curricula of grades 11 and12 Caution:Those materials are being used experimentally by Project English participants, who are continuing to develop them.