[Slling-l] [SPAM] reminder: call for papers ASAM2018

[Вадим Киммельман]

Dear all,


This is to remind you that the deadline for the workshop "Argument Structure
across Modalities" is on June 1st. See the full call for papers below.

Best regards,
Vadim Kimmelman

***

Title: Workshop “Argument Structure across Modalities” (ASAM2018)

Place: Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Date: February 1-2, 2018

Website: https://asam2018.wordpress.com

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. For
instance, one aspect in which sign languages differ is the use of classifier
predicates that have been argued to have unique properties which distinguish them
from similar constructions in spoken languages (Zwitserlood 2012). Benedicto &
Brentari (2004) have analyzed these constructions in American Sign Language and
have argued that they provide a direct empirical argument in favor of syntactic
approaches to argument structures. However, for most sign languages, even the
basic properties of argument structure have never been described; thus many more
exciting and theoretically relevant phenomena might still be uncovered.

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)

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

Contact:

Vadim Kimmelman: v.kimmelman at uva.nl

Important dates

Deadline for abstract submission: June 1st, 2017

Notification of acceptance: September 1st, 2017

Date of the workshop: February 1-2, 2018
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