Dwight L. Bolinger

Bio: Dwight L. Bolinger is an academic researcher from Harvard University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Meaning (existential) & Grammar. The author has an hindex of 37, co-authored 103 publications receiving 7309 citations. Previous affiliations of Dwight L. Bolinger include University of Southern California.

Aspects of language

Abstract: Aspects of language , Aspects of language , کتابخانه دیجیتالی دانشگاه علوم پزشکی و خدمات درمانی شهید بهشتی

Meaning and form

Abstract: Recent work in linguistics has assumed that “surface” differences in syntax do not necessarily reflect differences in “deep” structure, i.e., there are differences in form without differences in meaning. But in many, perhaps in all, instances where the assumption has been adopted in practice, an unsuspected difference in meaning can be found. It is a safer working hypothesis that linguistic economy requires all differences in form to be correlated with differences in meaning.

Accent Is Predictable (If You're a Mind-Reader)

Abstract: In her ordering rule added to the stress assignments in Chomsky & Halle 1968, Bresnan 1971 accounts for examples offered by Newman 1946, in particular the types George has plans to leave. George has plans to l6ave. Helen left directions for George to follow. Helen left directions for George to f6llow. She is of course persuaded, as was Newman, that explanations of these accentual phenomena are to be found in the syntax, and dismisses as 'only apparent counterexamples' the contrary evidence set forth in Bolinger 1958, though admitting that 'a very few of Bolinger's examples-mostly idiomatic, e.g. money to btirn-remain unexplained' (263, fn. 3). As they were originally illustrations of an explanation at variance with Bresnan's, this statement should read 'unexplained in terms of the Nuclear Stress Rule (as modified)'. In other words, they remain valid counterexamples. My position was-and is-that the location of sentence accents is not explainable by syntax or morphology. (That of stress is so explainable, and we see here perpetuated a classic confusion of levels.) I have held, with Hultz6n 1956, that what item 'has relatively stronger stress [accent] in the larger intonational pattern is a matter of information, not of structure' (199). It is true that the examples I gave included a number of idioms, but the 'few' others represent prolific types, which I did not feel needed further demonstration. That was my error, which I want to remedy now. Along the way I hope to deal with the newer syntactic and morphological arguments brought forth in Bresnan 1972 (B72), Lakoff 1972 (L), and Berman & Szamosi 1972 (B&S). The last-named are closest to my position, but even they attach an importance to syntax that I think is unnecessary. Following are examples in which the Nuclear Stress Rule (NSR) as modified ought to eliminate the accent on the final verb, but either does not or need not. They are matched with others where the rule operates successfully. The point of the comparison is the nature of the verbs as lexical items: The end of the chapter is reserved for various pr6blems to comptterize. The end of the chapter is reserved for various pr6blems to solve. I have a p6int to emphasize. I have a p6int to make. I can't finish in an hour-there are simply too many t6pics to elucidate.

Introduction to WordNet: An On-line Lexical Database

Abstract: Standard alphabetical procedures for organizing lexical information put together words that are spelled alike and scatter words with similar or related meanings haphazardly through the list. Unfortunately, there is no obvious alternative, no other simple way for lexicographers to keep track of what has been done or for readers to find the word they are looking for. But a frequent objection to this solution is that finding things on an alphabetical list can be tedious and time-consuming. Many people who would like to refer to a dictionary decide not to bother with it because finding the information would interrupt their work and break their train of thought.

The preference for self-correction in the organization of repair in conversation

Abstract: An "organization of repair' operates in conversation, addressed to recurrent problems in speaking, hearing, and understanding. Several features of that organization are introduced to explicate the mechanism which produces a strong empirical skewing in which self-repair predominates over other-repair, and to show the operation of a preference for self-repair in the organization of repair. Several consequences of the preference for self-repair for conversational interaction are sketched.* 1. SELF- AND OTHER-CORRECTION. Among linguists and others who have at all concerned themselves with the phenomenon of'correction' (or, as we shall refer to it, 'repair'; cf. below, ?2.1), a distinction is commonly drawn between 'selfcorrection' and 'other-correction', i.e. correction by the speaker of that which is being corrected vs. correction by some 'other'.l Sociologists take an interest in such a distinction; its terms-'self' and 'other'-have long been understood as central to the study of social organization and social interaction.2 For our concerns in this paper, 'self' and 'other' are two classes of participants in interactive social

English Verb Classes and Alternations: A Preliminary Investigation

Abstract: In this rich reference work, Beth Levin classifies over 3,000 English verbs according to shared meaning and behavior Levin starts with the hypothesis that a verb's meaning influences its syntactic behavior and develops it into a powerful tool for studying the English verb lexicon She shows how identifying verbs with similar syntactic behavior provides an effective means of distinguishing semantically coherent verb classes, and isolates these classes by examining verb behavior with respect to a wide range of syntactic alternations that reflect verb meaning The first part of the book sets out alternate ways in which verbs can express their arguments The second presents classes of verbs that share a kernel of meaning and explores in detail the behavior of each class, drawing on the alternations in the first part Levin's discussion of each class and alternation includes lists of relevant verbs, illustrative examples, comments on noteworthy properties, and bibliographic references The result is an original, systematic picture of the organization of the verb inventory Easy to use, "English Verb Classes and Alternations" sets the stage for further explorations of the interface between lexical semantics and syntax It will prove indispensable for theoretical and computational linguists, psycholinguists, cognitive scientists, lexicographers, and teachers of English as a second language Beth Levin is associate professor of linguistics at Northwestern University

Moral Disengagement in the Perpetration of Inhumanities

Abstract: Moral agency is manifested in both the power to refrain from behaving inhumanely and the proactive power to behave humanely. Moral agency is embedded in a broader sociocognitive self theory encompassing self-organizing, proactive, self-reflective, and self-regulatory mechanisms rooted in personal standards linked to self-sanctions. The self-regulatory mechanisms governing moral conduct do not come into play unless they are activated, and there are many psychosocial maneuvers by which moral self-sanctions are selectively disengaged from inhumane conduct. The moral disengagement may center on the cognitive restructuring of inhumane conduct into a benign or worthy one by moral justification, sanitizing language, and advantageous comparison; disavowal of a sense of personal agency by diffusion or displacement of responsibility; disregarding or minimizing the injurious effects of one's actions; and attribution of blame to, and dehumanization of, those who are victimized. Many inhumanities operate through a supportive network of legitimate enterprises run by otherwise considerate people who contribute to destructive activities by disconnected subdivision of functions and diffusion of responsibility. Given the many mechanisms for disengaging moral control, civilized life requires, in addition to humane personal standards, safeguards built into social systems that uphold compassionate behavior and renounce cruelty.