Title:
Processing of English compound words and noun phrases: evidence of obligatory attempts at meaning construction
Date:
18/06/2015
Town:
Pisa
Venue:
ILC-CNR – Aula Seminari IBF SG 5
Description:
Compositionality and productivity, which are the abilities to combine existing concepts and words to create new concepts and phrases, words, and sentences, are hallmarks of the human conceptual and language systems. Combined concepts are formed within the conceptual system and can be expressed via modifier-noun phrases (e.g., mountain vacation) and compound words (e.g., seashell), which are the simplest forms of productivity. We propose that relational information serves as the conceptual mortar for conceptual structures created during conceptual combination. To illustrate, the LOCATIVE relation is used to connect mountain and vacation during the formation of mountain vacation. In this talk, we will begin by providing an overview of the issue of compositionality, and then will discuss a theoretical framework aimed at accounting for the role of relational information in conceptual combination. The particular focus will be on the role and nature of relational competition during the processing of both novel modifier-noun phrases and established compounds. We will also discuss recent investigations of the role of relational competition in compounds that are not semantically transparent.
Programme:
- Introduction
Vito Pirrelli, ILC-CNR (5′) - Processing of English compound words and noun phrases: evidence of obligatory attempts at meaning construction
Christina L. Gagné & Thomas L. Spalding, Department of Psychology – University of Alberta (45′) - Discussion
(10′)
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