The status of thematic-conceptual structure in language processing and linguistic structure
Thematic-conceptual structure is a representational type that cuts across syntax and psycholinguistics. It is grounded in our phylogenetic and ontogenetic history and therefore has biological validity. This thesis outlines how thematic-conceptual structure is motivated and represented. Syntactic and psycholinguistic phenomena are interpreted and explained in thematic-conceptual terms. Thematic-conceptual structure is also argued to be a much better predictor and representational basis of sentence-level priming than syntactic structure. This thesis outlines a representational theory of thematic roles that is relevant to both syntactic structure and sentence processing, whilst at the same time being compatible with our knowledge of the ontogeny and phylogeny of language. The thesis is multidisciplinary in its nature, and this is reflected in its structure. After the introductory chapter, the next two chapters (2 and 3) establish the status of thematic roles in current theory. Conflicts between the disciplines are indicated. There is also an exposition of empirical facts that have to be explained by any successful theory of thematic roles. The following two chapters (4 and 5) investigate the evolution of language
Evans, Grant James
The status of thematic-conceptual structure in language processing and linguistic structure. Thematic-conceptual structure is a representational type that cuts across syntax and psycholinguistics. It is grounded in our phylogenetic and ontogenetic history and therefore has biological validity. This thesis outlines how thematic-conceptual structure is motivated and represented. Syntactic and psycholinguistic phenomena are interpreted and explained in thematic-conceptual terms. Thematic-conceptual structure is also argued to be a much better predictor and representational basis of sentence-level priming than syntactic structure. This thesis outlines a representational theory of thematic roles that is relevant to both syntactic structure and sentence processing, whilst at the same time being compatible with our knowledge of the ontogeny and phylogeny of language. The thesis is multidisciplinary in its nature, and this is reflected in its structure. After the introductory chapter, the next two chapters (2 and 3) establish the status of thematic roles in current theory. Conflicts between the disciplines are indicated. There is also an exposition of empirical facts that have to be explained by any successful theory of thematic roles. The following two chapters (4 and 5) investigate the evolution of language
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