28.4821, Confs: Syntax/Netherlands

Wed Nov 15 21:08:03 UTC 2017

LINGUIST List: Vol-28-4821. Wed Nov 15 2017. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 28.4821, Confs: Syntax/Netherlands

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Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2017 16:07:45
From: Vadim Kimmelman [v.kimmelman at uva.nl]
Subject: Argument Structure across Modalities

Argument Structure across Modalities 
Short Title: ASAM2018 

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

Linguistic Field(s): Syntax 

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)

Program: 

The program of the workshop can be found here:
https://asam2018.wordpress.com/program/. 

Venue: The workshop will take place at the University of Amsterdam, 432 REC-M,
Plantage Muidergracht 12, 1018 TV Amsterdam.

Interpreting: All talks will be interpreted into International Sign and Sign
Language of the Netherlands (NGT).

Registration: Participation in the workshop is free, but we kindly ask you to
register Before January 15 by filling in the following form:
https://goo.gl/forms/9BO08g7djpz3qdBz2

For more information and updates see the website:
https://asam2018.wordpress.com/

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