FW: [RST-LIST] Definitions of Conjunction and Disjunction

[Gisela Redeker]

Did this (below) get posted? I usually get a selfcopy from the list, but
still haven't seen it (after 11 hours).
Sorry if this ends up duplicating.   --Gisela

  _____  

From: Gisela Redeker [mailto:g.redeker at rug.nl] 
Sent: woensdag 11 oktober 2006 21:29
To: 'Maite Taboada'; 'RSTLIST at LISTSERV.LINGUISTLIST.ORG'
Subject: RE: [RST-LIST] Definitions of Conjunction and Disjunction


Thanks, Maite, for providing those examples (and, yes, absolutely: let's
stick to attested examples!). I've looked through Daniel Marcu's Wall Street
Journal texts and found the following examples for (probably?) non-exclusive
disjunctions (brackets added; the codes after the quotes are Marcu's text
id's):

[Never once did she gasp for air] [or mop her brow.] (wsj_1154)
 
[Most National Council members are themselves disabled] [or are parents of
children with disabilities.] (wsj_0694)
 
[Maybe we need a CIA version of the Miranda warning: You have the right to
conceal your coup intentions, because we may rat on you.] [Or maybe a
Surgeon General's warning: Confiding in the United States may be fatal.]
(wsj_1307)

I suppose the last one is rather dubious and could be seen as corrective
(hence exclusive) or as presenting the alternative descriptions one may
choose or encounter (non-exclusive). I think the same goes for Maite's
example "[Call it a fad.] [Or call it the wave of the future.] "
 
Gisela
 
 
  _____  

From: RST Discussion List [mailto:rstlist at LISTSERV.LINGUISTLIST.ORG] On
Behalf Of Maite Taboada
Sent: woensdag 11 oktober 2006 19:54
To: RSTLIST at LISTSERV.LINGUISTLIST.ORG
Subject: Re: [RST-LIST] Definitions of Conjunction and Disjunction


Hi all,

Just a follow-up to the Conjunction/Disjunction thread. As I mentioned a
while back, I'll post the definitions of these relations and examples on the
site. I just wanted to make sure we are all thinking along the lines below.
As discussed, I've left out any mention of exclusive/inclusive disjunction,
and of lexical cues.

Definitions come via Gisela Redeker, taken from a previous version of the
RST site. Examples are from Jelisaveta Safranj and from my own corpus
(epinions.com reviews).

----------------------------------
Conjunction
Constraints on each pair of N: The items are conjoined to form a unit in
which each item plays a comparable role
Intention of W: R recognizes that the linked items are conjoined

Examples: 
- [This didn't make me like the story any less] [nor did I find it hard to
follow]
- [Disney provides great access to transportation] and [every cast member is
ready to provide detailed directions and tips for getting to your desired
destination quickly.]

Disjunction:
Constraints on each pair of N: An item presents a (not necessarily
exclusive) alternative for the other(s)
Intention of W: R recognizes that the linked items are alternatives

Examples:
- [Call it a fad.] [Or call it the wave of the future.] 
- In the aerobic phase, for instance, lactic acid and lactate are still
produced, [but they are consumed by less active muscles] [or metabolized in
the liver] and so do not accumulate
- [Will Peter ever get out], [or will he die in the tower?]

----------------------------------

It looks like we only have examples of exclusive disjunction. Following RST
tradition, I'd like to have only attested examples (i.e., not made up). 

If you think the definitions or examples are not accurate, or you have
something else to add, please reply. Otherwise, I'll post these on the RST
site soon.

Thanks,
- Maite



_____
Maite Taboada
Assistant Professor
Department of Linguistics
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Dr.
Burnaby, B.C. V5A 1S6 
Canada

Tel: 604-291-5585  Fax: 604-291-5659
mtaboada at sfu.ca - http <http://www.sfu.ca/~mtaboada> ://www.sfu.ca/~mtaboada
<http://www.sfu.ca/~mtaboada>  

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