19.1474, Calls: General Ling,Typology/Brazil; General Ling/Belgium

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LINGUIST List: Vol-19-1474. Fri May 02 2008. ISSN: 1068 - 4875.

Subject: 19.1474, Calls: General Ling,Typology/Brazil; General Ling/Belgium

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1)
Date: 02-May-2008
From: W. Leo Wetzels < wlm.wetzels at let.vu.nl >
Subject: The Structure of the Amazonian Languages II 

2)
Date: 01-May-2008
From: Valerie Wielemans < Valerie.Wielemans at UGent.be >
Subject: La scalarité dans tous ses aspects

 

	
-------------------------Message 1 ---------------------------------- 
Date: Fri, 02 May 2008 12:20:19
From: W. Leo Wetzels [wlm.wetzels at let.vu.nl]
Subject: The Structure of the Amazonian Languages II
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Full Title: The Structure of the Amazonian Languages II 

Date: 24-Nov-2008 - 28-Nov-2008
Location: Recife, Brazil 
Contact Person: Stella Telles
Meeting Email: stellatelles at hotmail.com

Linguistic Field(s): General Linguistics; Genetic Classification; Language
Documentation; Typology 

Call Deadline: 15-Aug-2008 

Meeting Description:

This conference is the second of a series of three meetings, as part of a
cooperation initiative between the CELIA Paris, UFAM Manaus, Leiden University,
and the VU University Amsterdam research centers. The themes to be discussed at
the second meeting are 'nominalization' and 'word-prosodic systems'. Although
the nature of the meeting is that of a seminar for which part of the
contributors are individually invited, there is space in the program for
non-invited speakers, which we wish to encourage submitting a paper through this
call. In addition, the meeting is open for students and scholars that are
interested in assisting without presenting a paper. 

Call for Papers

The conference themes are: 

Nominalization
Since deverbal nouns have the ability to recover the arguments of their finite
counterpart, nominalization is one of the procedures that languages make use of
to put a verbal predicate in a position of dependence with regard to another
predicate. The link between nominalization and subordination is more or less
tight cross-linguistically. Very visible in Turkish, Tzeltal, or Arabic, it is
pervasive in the Amazonian languages. Several typological issues must be
addressed in considering the relation between subordination and nominalization.
First, the way in which the recovery of arguments is achieved, since the case
assigner is a noun. When the nominalization concerns a transitive verb, one
observes a relatively general tendency for ergative alignment, which has a
direct incidence on the way syntactic pivots are established between the main
clause and the subordinate clause. Second, the loss of the finiteness properties
of the verb and the acquirement of typical nominal categories (gender-classes,
quantification, definiteness) can reveal a continuum the landmarks of which have
to be stated language particularly. Since the deverbal construct generates a
noun phrase, the subordination markers will often be recovered from the
inventory of adposition type relational markers. With respect to relativization,
the designation ''headless relative'' sometimes obscures the necessary
distinction between a clause in a modifier position in a noun dominated phrase
and a deverbal noun in the same syntactic dependent position. Moreover, in
languages that allow a certain degree of choice in discourse between a finite
dependent clause and a deverbal modifier, the semantic and pragmatic correlates
of each option must be highlighted. The diachronic recovery of finiteness
properties by deverbal forms, often accomplished through a reanalysis of the
nominal morphology, may cause changes in the alignment patterns. More
specifically, the study of the relations between nominalization and
subordination, if taking into account the so-called masdar form in the Arabic
grammatical tradition, is very well-suited to shed a new light on that hybrid
form known from many Tupi and Jê languages, which the tradition of Tupi-Guarani
studies calls ''indicative 2''.

Word-Prosodic Systems
An assessment of any typological feature in South American indigenous
linguistics is premature. Although for certain families (e.g. Tupi-Guarani)
available descriptions are sufficiently good and numerous to allow for
interesting family-wide observations, for many others there is almost nothing.
This is especially true regarding the characteristics of the word-prosodic
systems (stress or tone based) that exist in the Amazonian languages. Even among
the 'well-documented' languages, very few have had their word-prosodies analyzed
in a meaningful way. The descriptions are mostly sketchy, sometimes no more than
a generic statement and contain few, if any, examples. A systematic
consideration of word-level stress and/ or tonal patterns including detailed
accounts of morphological or lexical conditioning is rarely encountered. Terms
such as 'pitch accent' are used often with a vague definition and are employed
to refer to systems that are very dissimilar. For this conference we wish to
invite papers that present detailed analyses of word-prosodic systems in the
Amazonian languages, preferentially based on laboratory evidence.



	
-------------------------Message 2 ---------------------------------- 
Date: Fri, 02 May 2008 12:20:27
From: Valerie Wielemans [Valerie.Wielemans at UGent.be]
Subject: La scalarité dans tous ses aspects
E-mail this message to a friend:
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Full Title: La scalarité dans tous ses aspects 

Date: 15-Dec-2008 - 16-Dec-2008
Location: Ghent, Belgium 
Contact Person: Pascale Hadermann
Meeting Email: Pascale.Hadermann at UGent.be
Web Site: http://www.scalarityinlinguistics.ugent.be 

Linguistic Field(s): General Linguistics 

Call Deadline: 15-May-2008 

Meeting Description:

Descriptif De La Thematique  Soumission Prolongee!
De nos jours, le concept de scalarité surgit dans des études consacrées à des
phénomènes très variés dont la quantification, la gradation, la comparaison et
l'intensification. Il semble présupposer le plus souvent l'existence d'une
échelle de valeurs sur laquelle se situent les propriétés évoquées par l'énoncé.
La question qui se pose est de savoir si la représentation scalaire sous-tend
réellement ces phénomènes de quantification, gradation, comparaison, intensité
et si, dans le cas d'une réponse affirmative, elle permettrait d'unifier le
traitement de structures à première vue très divergentes. 
Les 15 et 16 décembre prochains, nous aimerions analyser l'apport de la notion
de scalarité à la description linguistique et ce à travers une approche
lexicale, sémantique, syntaxique et pragmatique.

Theme Description Extended Deadline!
Nowadays the concept of scalarity appears in studies devoted to highly varied
phenomena such as quantification, gradation, comparison and intensification. It
presupposes mostly the existence of a value-scale on which the properties
highlighted by the utterance are situated. The question is whether the scalar
representation really supports these phenomena of quantification, gradation,
comparison and intensification, and if, in the affirmative, it could allow to
deal with a diversity of structures.
On the 15th and 16th of December 2008 we would like to analyse the contribution
of the concept 'scalarity' to the linguistic description, taking into
consideration a lexical, semantic, syntactic and pragmatic approach. 

1. Description Des Themes
- L'approche lexicale
La possible référence à une échelle de valeurs semble parfois être inhérente au
contenu lexical de certaines expressions : ainsi courir se distingue entre
autres de marcher par la référence à une vitesse de déplacement supérieure et
des adjectifs comme froid et glacial désignent chacun des étapes différentes sur
l'échelle de température. Dans les études à orientation lexicale, le terme «
scalaire » est associé à un éventail de catégories - des prédicats, des
déterminants, des adjectifs, des noms, des expressions adverbiales - considérées
comme gradables ou renvoyant à une progression par degré. 
Les questions suivantes mériteraient d'être creusées : (i) le concept de
scalarité peut-il être appliqué aussi facilement à des catégories si diverses ?;
(ii) y a-t-il lieu d'établir un rapport entre « degré », « gradation » et «
scalarité » ?
- L'approche sémantique
Le parcours d'une ou de plusieurs échelles peut activer le système comparatif.
Aussi l'étude des structures comparatives permet-elle d'affiner
l'opérationnalité de la notion de scalarité et de la référence à des échelles de
valeurs, de même que le rapport avec l'expression du haut degré : Avec une
voiture aussi chère, tu vas impressionner. Dans cet exemple, où le comparant est
absent, le marqueur de degré et la notion gradable, au lieu de renvoyer à une
position sur l'échelle, réfèrent à une orientation vers le pôle [+]. 
En outre, il est intéressant de noter l'existence de processus de
grammaticalisation sous l'influence desquels un système de comparaison interne
entre deux termes peut, à un stade avancé, évoluer vers l'expression d'une
comparaison externe à la structure phrastique, évolution qui donnera lieu à
l'expression de liens logiques (au moins, Paul ne part pas sans nous dire au
revoir ; cf. Bat Zeev Shyldkrot, 1995).
Il s'agit d'examiner ici dans quelle mesure la représentation scalaire est
sous-jacente à des phénomènes de quantification et d'intensification et comment
elle participe à la création de relations discursives.
- L'approche pragmatique
Dans cette approche, qui remonte à la pragmatique formelle de Paul Grice, la
notion d'échelle revêt un caractère logique lorsqu'elle se trouve implémentée
dans les « implicatures scalaires ». Ainsi, dans l'énoncé Certains athlètes
fument, c'est la maxime de quantité qui déclenchera l'implicature 'Il n'est pas
vrai que tous les athlètes fument'. Puisque le locuteur se contente d'encoder
l'information requise et rien de plus, l'affirmation plus forte 'tous les
athlètes' est fausse, sinon le locuteur, respectueux de la maxime de quantité,
aurait affirmé qu'ils fument tous. Avec l'implicature scalaire les affirmations
plus faibles et plus fortes sont conçues comme étant situées sur une échelle
logique (certains - tous les). Ultérieurement, la théorie des maximes
conversationnelles et des implicatures a été discutée et/ou affinée, souvent
dans le cadre d'études consacrées aux indéfinis, aux expressions de libre choix
et de polarité négative. 
Il serait intéressant de vérifier l'hypothèse de la scalarité pour définir
l'emploi en contexte de ces expressions.
- Au niveau syntaxique, certaines structures scalaires soulèvent le problème de
la réduction propositionnelle (cf. les tours « elliptiques » dans la
comparaison), de la portée des arguments (pensons à l'incidence des syntagmes
adverbiaux), de l'enchevêtrement des prédications (voir le statut subordonné ou
non de la comparative) ou des limites entre parataxe/hypotaxe et
coordination/subordination (quelle place accorder aux constructions appelées «
siamoises » en autant?autant, plus?plus, etc. ?). 
Un dernier objectif du colloque est d'arriver à une meilleure compréhension des
ces phénomènes syntaxiques lorsqu'ils touchent des expressions à valeur scalaire.
Afin de trouver des éléments de réponse à toutes ces questions, nous vous
invitons à partager avec nous vos points de vue sur la (les) problématique(s).
Toutes les approches disciplinaires sont les bienvenues, qu'elles soient
monolingues ou multilingues. Les langues officielles du colloque seront le
français et l'anglais.

2. Appel A Communications Prolonge!
Les propositions de communication (format RTF) devront être envoyées 
pour le 15 mai 2008 au plus tard par courrier électronique à
Pascale.Hadermann at UGent.be et à Valerie.Wielemans at UGent.be sous la forme suivante :
- un abrégé anonyme en français ou en anglais ne dépassant pas 2 pages de format
A4 corps Times 12 (bibliographie incluse). L'abrégé devra clairement indiquer :
(1) le thème choisi (approche lexicale, sémantique, pragmatique ou syntaxique) 
(2) le titre 
(3) les objectifs, le cadre et la méthodologie, les résultats/conclusions
(provisoires). 
- une page séparée mentionnant vos nom et prénom, votre appartenance
administrative, votre adresse postale, votre courriel et le titre de votre
contribution.
Les soumissions seront évaluées de manière anonyme. Le choix tiendra compte des
critères suivants :
- Importance et originalité du papier
- Assise empirique de l'analyse
- Précision du contenu scientifique
- Organisation et clarté de la présentation

3. Principales Echeances
- Date-limite pour les soumissions: 15 mai 2008
- Notification des acceptations: 30 juin 2008
- Publication du programme: 1er octobre 2008
- Inscriptions définitives: 31 octobre 2008
- Colloque : 15 et 16 décembre 2008
Lieu : Université de Gand - Het Pand Onderbergen 1, B-9000 Gand (Belgique)

4. Organisation
Comité d'organisation: Pascale Hadermann (Universiteit Gent), Valerie Wielemans
(FWO-Universiteit Gent), Laurence De Wilde (Universiteit Gent), Michel Pierrard
(Vrije Universiteit Brussel), Dan Van Raemdonck (Université Libre de
Bruxelles-Vrije Universiteit Brussel).
Comité scientifique: Silvia Adler (University of Haifa), Christophe Benzitoun
(Université de Nancy), Bert Cappelle (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven), Bart
Defrancq (Hogeschool Gent), Joaquín Garrido (Universidad Complutense de Madrid),
Olga Inkova (Université de Genève), Sarah Leroy (Université Paris 10),
Christopher Pinon (Université de Lille 3), Hava Bat-Zeev Shyldkrot (Tel Aviv
University), Marleen Van Peteghem (Université de Lille  3),  Jacqueline Visconti
(University of Genova)

5. Programme
Conférenciers pléniers invités :
- C. Kennedy (University of Chicago)
- C. Schnedecker (Université de Strasbourg 2)
- J. Deulofeu (Université de Provence)
- J. Hoeksema (University of Groningen)

1. Theme Description
- Lexical approach
The possible reference to a value-scale sometimes seems to be inherent to the
lexical content of some expressions: so ''run'' differs, among others, from
''walk'' by referring to a higher speed of movement, and adjectives such as
''cold'' and ''icy'' both refer to different levels on the temperature scale. In
lexical oriented studies, the expression ''scalar'' is associated with a range
of categories - predicates, determinants, adjectives, nouns, adverbial
expressions - which are considered as gradable or are referring to a progression
by degree. 
The following questions deserve to be further investigated: (i) can the concept
of scalarity be applied as easily to categories which are different?, (ii) is it
conceivable to establish a relation between ''degree'', ''gradation'' and
''scalarity''? 

- Semantic approach
Progressing on one or various scales can activate the comparative system. Thus,
the study of comparative structures permits to fine-tune the usability of the
notion of scalarity and the reference to value-scales, as well as the link with
high degree expressions: You will make a deep impression by driving such an
expensive car. In this example, where the standard does not appear, the degree
marker and the gradable notion refer to the highest level on the scale, instead
of referring to a position on it. 
Furthermore, it is interesting to note the existence of the grammaticalisation
processes, under whose influence an internal comparison system between two terms
can lead to the expression of a comparison, overstepping the sentence limits: an
evolution that will result in the appearance of logical links (au moins, Paul ne
part pas sans nous dire au revoir ; cf. Bat Zeev Shyldkrot, 1995).
In this respect, it is important to examine at which degree the scalar
representation is underlying to the quantification and intensification phenomena
and how it participates in the creation of discursive relations.

- Pragmatic approach
In this approach, which is based on the formal pragmatics of Paul Grice, the
notion of scale is used in a logical context when it concerns the ''scalar
implicatures''. For instance, in the sentence ''Some athletes smoke'', the Maxim
of Quantity is responsible for the implicature ''It is not true that all the
athletes smoke''. Indeed, the locutor makes his contribution as informative as
required and nothing more, thus the stronger affirmation ''all the athletes'' is
false. Otherwise, in respecting the Maxim of Quantity, he would confirm that
they all smoke. In using the scalar implicature, the weaker and stronger
affirmations are being situated on a logical scale (some - all). Later on, the
theory of conversational maxims and implicatures has been discussed and refined,
often within the frame of studies on undefinite pronouns, negative polarity and
free choice expressions. 
It would be interesting to check the scalarity hypothesis in order to have a
better understanding of those expressions in context.

- On a syntactic level, some scalar structures do confront us with following
problems: propositional reduction (cf. ''elliptical'' structures), syntactic
scope (see e.g. the scope of adverbials), clause linkage (are comparatives
subordinated clauses or not?), limits between parataxis / hypotaxis and
coordination / subordination (where should we situate comparative correlatives
etc.?).
A final purpose of the colloquium is to work out a better comprehension of these
syntactic phenomena when they concern scalar expressions.
In order to find a response to all these questions, we invite you to share with
us your point of view on this matter. All the disciplinary approaches are
welcome, whether they are monolingual or multilingual. The official languages of
the colloquium will be French and English.

2. Call for Abstracts  Extended Deadline!
Abstracts (RTF format) have to be submitted before 15th of May 2008 by mail to
Pascale.Hadermann at UGent.be and to Valerie.Wielemans at UGent.be in the following form:
- an anonymous abstract in French or in English which does not exceed 2 pages
(A4 format) with body text Times 12 (bibliography included). The abstract has to
indicate clearly:
(1) the chosen theme (lexical, semantic, pragmatic or syntactic approach) 
(2) the title 
(3) the aims, the context and the methodology, the (provisional)
results/conclusions.
- a separated page mentioning your surname and first name, your affiliation,
your postal address, your email and the title of your contribution. 
The submissions will be evaluated anonymously. Acceptance will take into
consideration the following criteria:
- Importance and originality of the paper
- Empirical base of the analysis
- Precision of the scientific content
- Structure and clarity of the presentation.

3. Important Deadlines
- Deadline for submission: 15th of May 2008 
- Notification of acceptance: 30th of June 2008
- Program publication: 1st of October 2008
- Final subscriptions: 31th of October 2008
- Colloquium : 15th and 16th of December 2008
Place: Ghent University- Het Pand Onderbergen 1, B-9000 Ghent (Belgium)

4. Organisation
Organising committee: Pascale Hadermann (Universiteit Gent), Valerie Wielemans
(FWO-Universiteit Gent), Laurence De Wilde (Universiteit Gent), Michel Pierrard
(Vrije Universiteit Brussel), Dan Van Raemdonck (Université Libre de
Bruxelles-Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Scientific commitee: Silvia Adler (University of Haifa), Christophe Benzitoun
(Université de Nancy), Bert Cappelle (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven), Bart
Defrancq (Hogeschool Gent), Joaquín Garrido (Universidad Complutense de Madrid),
Olga Inkova (Université de Genève), Sarah Leroy (Université Paris 10),
Christopher Pinon (Université de Lille 3), Hava Bat-Zeev Shyldkrot (Tel Aviv
University), Marleen Van Peteghem (Université de Lille  3),  Jacqueline Visconti
(University of Genova)

5. Programme
Plenary Conferences :
- C. Kennedy (University of Chicago)
- C. Schnedecker (Université de Strasbourg 2)
- J. Deulofeu (Université de Provence)
- J. Hoeksema (University of Groningen)


 





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