28.2493, Calls: Argument Structure across Modalities

[The LINGUIST List]

LINGUIST List: Vol-28-2493. Mon Jun 05 2017. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 28.2493, Calls: Argument Structure across Modalities

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Date: Mon, 05 Jun 2017 22:24:33
From: Vadim Kimmelman [V.Kimmelman at uva.nl]
Subject: Argument Structure across Modalities

 
Full Title: Argument Structure across Modalities 
Short Title: ASAM2018 

Date: 01-Feb-2018 - 02-Feb-2018
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands 
Contact Person: Vadim Kimmelman
Meeting Email: v.kimmelman at uva.nl
Web Site: http://asam2018.wordpress.com 

Linguistic Field(s): Syntax 

Call Deadline: 15-Jun-2017 

Meeting Description:

The workshop “Argument Structure across Modalities” (ASAM2018) is organized to
discuss various theories of argument structure, and how spoken and signed
languages can contribute to the debate. It will take place at the University
of Amsterdam (the Netherlands).

Argument structure, that is, the study of how predicates combine with
arguments, is a core part of any grammar and any theory of grammar. There are
numerous descriptions of argument structure in various languages, typological
studies formulating cross-linguistic generalizations (Malchukov & Comrie
2015), and theoretical approaches touching upon the nature of argument
structure (Ramchand 2013). 

On the theoretical side, one of the most interesting debates in recent years
has been between syntactic (constructional) and lexical approaches to argument
structure. Some researchers argue that the basic argument structure is built
in syntax (Borer 2005; Ramchand 2008). This idea of separating argument
structure from lexical items is pursued in various frameworks, from
Distributed Morphology (Marantz 1997) to Construction Grammar (Goldberg 1995).
Others claim, following the more traditional approach, that argument structure
is a lexical property, and argument structure alternations are operations in
the lexicon (see Wechsler & Müller (2014) for an extended discussion).
Finally, some researchers argue that some argument structure alternations
happen in syntax, while others happen in the lexicon, and this can also be
language-specific, thus suggesting a hybrid approach (Reinhart & Siloni 2005;
Horvath & Siloni 2011). The debate between proponents of the different
theories is far from being resolved. 

On the empirical side, argument structure has been studied for a wide variety
of languages (Malchukov & Comrie 2015), but one group of languages has been
largely overlooked, namely sign languages. Given that sign languages resort to
a different (visual) modality, and present a number of unique properties
(Meier 2012), it is crucial that their argument structure is studied, too, in
order to further contribute to typological and theoretical research into the
topic (see Benedicto & Brentari 2004 for an example of insightful research on
sign languages).

To discuss both the theoretical debates around the notion of argument
structure, and novel data from spoken and signed languages, we organize a
two-day workshop “Argument Structure across Modalities” (ASAM2018) at the
University of Amsterdam. The workshop is part of the research project
“Argument structure in three sign languages: typological and theoretical
aspects” (NWO, grant 360-70-520). We are happy to announce that the following
distinguished scholars agreed to deliver a keynote lecture: 

Prof. Dr. Gillian Ramchand (University of Tromsø)
Prof. Dr. Tal Siloni (Tel Aviv University)
Prof. Dr. Elena Benedicto (Purdue University)
Prof. Dr. Markus Steinbach (Universität Göttingen)


2nd Call for Papers: 

We invite abstracts for spoken or signed presentations (30+15 min). The
languages of the workshop are English, International Sign, and Sign Language
of the Netherlands (interpreting between NGT/IS and English will be provided).
Abstracts related (but not limited) to the following issues are especially
welcome:

- Theoretical (lexical/syntactic/hybrid) approaches to argument structure
- Evaluation of competing approaches based on novel data
- Typological studies of aspects of argument structure
- Argument structure (alternations) in understudied languages, spoken or
signed
- Argument structure in gesture

Submission guidelines:

We invite anonymous abstracts not exceeding two pages (Times New Roman 12pt or
analogues, including tables, examples, figures; references can be on a
separate page). Please submit your abstract via EasyChair:
https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=asam2018. The abstracts will be
reviewed by a committee of experts.

Workshop Organizers:

Roland Pfau
Enoch O. Aboh
Vadim Kimmelman
Marloes Oomen
Vanja de Lint




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