R: Re: pragmatics versus grammar?

[Paolo Ramat]

I fully subscribe Doris' questions. What does it mean that 'grammatical and pragmatic mechanisms are in some sense in complementary distribution'? Is this a hint to iconism? 
Best,
Paolo Ramat

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Doris Payne 
  To: LINGTYP at LISTSERV.LINGUISTLIST.ORG 
  Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2003 11:09 PM
  Subject: Re: pragmatics versus grammar?


  Dear Jess - I don't understand the question well enough to be able to think about it well.  What is an example of a "grammatical mechanism" vs. a "pragmatic mechanism"?  I think of "forms" or "structures" when one says "mechanisms" -- but if one has forms in mind, what is that other than morphosyntax?

  Altogether, maybe we need more explanation of what you mean by these terms, first.

  - Doris Payne
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Jack Tauber 
    To: LINGTYP at LISTSERV.LINGUISTLIST.ORG 
    Sent: 10 April 2003 13:46
    Subject: pragmatics versus grammar?


    Hi. I want to ask list members whether they feel that in some vague way grammatical and pragmatic mechanisms are in some sense in complementary distribution in various morphosyntactic types.

    Certainly it seems to be the case that morphology and syntax vary along these lines- the question then is whether pragmatics is part of the mix, or is there no variation here? Thanks.

    Best regards,
    Jess Tauber
    phonosemantics at earthlink.net
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