It has long been accepted that sign language (i) employs the same logical structures as spoken language (occasionally making its abstract components
overt), and simultaneously (ii) makes extensive use of iconicity. But the articulation between these two modules has only been discussed piecemeal. Based on new data from American Sign Language (ASL), we argue that natural language semantics must be extended
with a pictorial component, one that makes crucial use of the semantics of pictures recently developed by Gabriel Greenberg and Dorit Abusch. The result, which we call ‘iconological semantics’, offers a new integration of logical and iconic semantics, as well
as a new perspective on the foundations of meaning in natural language.
A key argument for iconological semantics lies in some constructions, called classifier predicates, which are lexically specified as having a pictorial semantics. Just like for a picture,
their truth-conditional contribution is evaluated with respect to a viewpoint. We argue that in ASL, the viewpoint is determined by a viewpoint variable, which may be left free or existentially quantified, in which case it yields a remarkable interaction with
logical operators.
We also show that the pictorial semantics of classifier predicates has consequences for their syntax. Classifier predicates often override the basic SVO order of ASL, yielding preverbal
objects instead, but crucially this is only true to the extent that the denoted object is typically visible before the action (e.g. x ate up y). This is in essence because the classifier predicate creates a visual animation of the denoted scene. When the object
is visible only *after* the action (e.g. x spit out y), an SVO order is regained.
In sum, the proposed framework accounts both for the syntax and semantics of classifier predicates, as well as for their integration within larger Logical Forms. (This analysis can
be extended to offer an account of some viewpoint-sensitive gestures in spoken language, as well as their syntax; and it can be refined by adopting a more accurate view of the 3D and dynamic contribution of classifier predicates and iconic gestures.)
Optional readings [they will not be presupposed]
[Research-level; partly technical] On iconological semantics: Schlenker and Lamberton (to appear, Linguistics & Philosophy), ‘Iconological Semantics’: https://ling.auf.net/lingbuzz/007048
*Anyone not affiliated with CEU wishing to attend in-person in Vienna must RSVP here to
get access to the lecture hall.
If you want to schedule a meeting with Philippe,
please indicate your availability here!
The CEU Department of Cognitive Science invites you to the following talk:
Philippe Schlenker (Institut Jean-Nicod, CNRS; New York University)
Meaning After the Multimodal Revolution: Iconological Semantics
It has long been accepted that sign language (i) employs the same logical structures
as spoken language (occasionally making its abstract components overt), and simultaneously (ii) makes extensive use of iconicity. But the articulation between these two modules has only been discussed piecemeal. Based on new data from American Sign Language
(ASL), we argue that natural language semantics must be extended with a pictorial component, one that makes crucial use of the semantics of pictures recently developed by Gabriel Greenberg and Dorit Abusch. The result, which we call ‘iconological semantics’,
offers a new integration of logical and iconic semantics, as well as a new perspective on the foundations of meaning in natural language.
A key argument for iconological semantics lies in some constructions, called classifier predicates, which are lexically specified as having a pictorial semantics.
Just like for a picture, their truth-conditional contribution is evaluated with respect to a viewpoint. We argue that in ASL, the viewpoint is determined by a viewpoint variable, which may be left free or existentially quantified, in which case it yields a
remarkable interaction with logical operators.
We also show that the pictorial semantics of classifier predicates has consequences for their syntax. Classifier predicates often override the basic
SVO order of ASL, yielding preverbal objects instead, but crucially this is only true to the extent that the denoted object is typically visible before the action (e.g. x ate up y). This is in essence because the classifier predicate creates a visual animation
of the denoted scene. When the object is visible only *after* the action (e.g. x spit out y), an SVO order is regained.
In sum, the proposed framework accounts both for the syntax and semantics of classifier predicates, as well as for their integration within larger
Logical Forms. (This analysis can be extended to offer an account of some viewpoint-sensitive gestures in spoken language, as well as their syntax; and it can be refined by adopting a more accurate view of the 3D and dynamic contribution of classifier predicates
and iconic gestures.)
Optional readings [they
will not be presupposed]
[Research-level; partly technical] On iconological semantics: Schlenker and Lamberton (to appear,
Linguistics & Philosophy), ‘Iconological Semantics’: https://ling.auf.net/lingbuzz/007048
Date: Wednesday, Jan 31, 2024
Time: 4 pm (to 5:30 pm) CET
Venue:
D002* (QS Vienna) and
Zoom (meeting ID:
969
2496 5784, passcode: 471712)
*Anyone not affiliated with CEU wishing to attend in-person in Vienna must RSVP
here to get access to the lecture hall.
If you want to schedule a meeting with
Philippe,
please indicate your availability
here!
Bartu