Antecedent (grammar)

About: Antecedent (grammar) is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1392 publications have been published within this topic receiving 41824 citations.

Reference to Discourse Topics: Introducing “Global” Shell Nouns

Abstract: Shell nouns (SNs) are abstract nouns like “fact”, “issue”, and “decision”, which are capable of refer- ring to non-nominal antecedents, much like anaphoric pronouns. As an extension of classical anaphora resolution, the automatic detection of SNs alongside their respective antecedents has received a growing research interest in recent years but proved to be a challenging task. This paper critically examines the assumption prevalent in previous research that SNs are typically accompanied by a specific antecedent, arguing that SNs like “issue” and “decision” are frequently used to refer, not to specific antecedents, but to global discourse topics, in which case they are out of reach of previously proposed resolution strategies that are tailored to SNs with explicit antecedents. The contribution of this work is three-fold. First, the notion of global SNs is defined; second, their qualitative and quantitative impact on previous SN research is investigated; and third, implications for previous and future approaches to SN resolution are discussed.

A Computational Implementation of Resolving Korean Plural Pronouns

Abstract: There are three third-person plural pronouns in Korean. This paper proposes that the constraint on the antecedent for each plural pronoun is different, and thus in creating the antecedent for a plural pronoun, the relevant constraint must be taken into account. This paper also shows how to implement the method of resolving Korean plural pronouns on the computer, using DCG grammar. The grammar contains information about gap threading and DRS threading. The method of summation based on constraints is used to construct the antecedent for a plural pronoun computationally.

Pragmatism and Semiotics

Abstract: Pragmatism is a philosophical tradition that originated in the United States in the latter half of the nineteenth century. It has many strains and variants, but all share a key tenet found in the ‘pragmatic maxim,’ which states that the meaning of a concept is determined by the practical consequences that its adoption might have, not by antecedent data. Thus meaning in pragmatism is always connected to a real-world context and to human action within it. Furthermore, pragmatism emphasizes the social character of human experience as well as the inherent creativity in human action.

Processing pronouns in global discourse context

Abstract: This study examined the interpretation and processing of third-person pronouns when global discourse context supports a less-salient referent as antecedent of a subject pronoun. In particular, we investigated whether such information cancels a default generalized conversational implicature (GCI) biasing a local subject antecedent interpretation for an English overt pronoun. Eye-tracking data was recorded as participants heard four-sentence mini-stories with one of three Contexts: one biasing the subject of the previous clause as antecedent (SB), one biasing another human referent (OB), and one neutral to biasing either referent. Results showed that looking patterns did not diverge in OB and Neutral conditions until after crucial information tying into the larger discourse context was given in the post-pronoun verb. Strong preferences for non-subject referents did not emerge until after the sentence ended, a time-course consistent with participants calculating and then cancelling a default implicature for a subject antecedent. Meanwhile, discourse context reinforcing the default subject implicature in the SB condition facilitated processing, in terms of less time spent looking at either human referent compared the Neutral condition. Overall, results suggest that upon hearing an overt pronoun, English speakers first calculate a GCI that results in a local subject antecedent interpretation, but that, like all implicatures, this GCI can be defeated by contextual factors.

How can children with ABI achieve their potential

Abstract: Purpose – Functional deficits caused by ABI often prevent children from developing independence at the level of which they are cognitively capable. This case study aims to illustrate how consistent educational and behaviour management strategies including an antecedent behaviour management (ABM) approach, coupled with individualised neuroeducation informed by the student's specific neurodisabilities, had a positive impact on attainment and development and led to much improved ability to self manage, interact with others and attain personal goals.Design/methodology/approach – The study considers the impact of an antecedent behaviour management (ABM) approach, coupled with individualised neuroeducation, in working with an adolescent student whose violent, aggressive and self‐harming behaviour was preventing her from developing independence, achieving her academic potential and interacting positively with her family, peers and other adults.Findings – The results of the case study indicate that a consistent a...