Markedness TheoryEdna Andrews clarifies and extends the work of Roman Jakobson to develop a theory of invariants in language by distinguishing between general and contextual meaning in morphology and semantics. Markedness theory, as Jakobson conceived it, is a qualitative theory of oppositional binary relations. Andrews shows how markedness theory enables a linguist to precisely define the systemically given oppositions and hierarchies represented by linguistic categories. In addition, she redefines the relationship between Jakobsonian markedness theory and Peircean interpretants. Though primarily theoretical, the argument is illustrated with discussions about learning a second language, the relationship of linguistics to mathematics (particularly set theory, algebra, topology, and statistics) in their mutual pursuit of invariance, and issues involving grammatical gender and their implications in several languages. |
Contents
| 9 | |
| 44 | |
| 81 | |
Myths About Markedness | 136 |
The Category of Grammatical Gender in Russian SerboCroatian and Modern Greek | 166 |
Notes | 189 |
Bibliography | 199 |
Index | 211 |
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Common terms and phrases
actual analysis application aspect axiom axiomatic base become binary called chapter complete conceptual features concerning connected considered consistent context continuity declension defined definition deictic deixis demonstrate determined developed Dhimotiki discussion distinction element emotional English established event example exist expressed extension fact feminine Figure final formal function fundamental gender given gives grammatical Greek hierarchy icon imply important inference interpretant invariant involves Jakobson Jakobsonian language lexical linguistic logical marked markedness theory masculine mathematics meaning morphology natural necessarily neuter neutralization Note notion nouns object occur opposition particular Peirce Peirce's Peircean perception perfective phonology plural position possible potential present principles properties question reference relation relationship represents requires reversal role rule Russian Savan Schooneveld semantic semiotic Shapiro shift signifier speaker specific speech statement structure substitutability tense third tion types understanding University unmarked van Schooneveld verb verbal versus
Popular passages
Page 15 - The only way of directly communicating an idea is by means of an icon; and every indirect method of communicating an idea must depend for its establishment upon the use of an icon.
Page 64 - I define a Sign as anything which is so determined by something else, called its Object, and so determines an effect upon a person, which effect I call its Interpretant, that the latter is thereby mediately determined by the former. My insertion of "upon a person" is a sop to Cerberus, because I despair of making my own broader conception understood.
Page 66 - The deliberately formed, selfanalyzing habit — self-analyzing because formed by the aid of analysis of the exercises that nourished it — is the living definition, the veritable and final logical interpretant.
Page 75 - Firstness is the mode of being of that which is such as it is, positively and without reference to anything else. Secondness is the mode of being of that which is such as it is, with respect to a second but regardless of any third. Thirdness is the mode of being of that which is such as it is, in bringing a second and third into relation to each other.
Page 53 - meaning" of an intellectual concept is can only be solved by the study of the interpretants, or proper significate effects, of signs.
Page 36 - Thus we cannot escape the fact that the world we know is constructed in order (and thus in such a way as to be able) to see itself.
Page 85 - Deduction proves that something MUST be; Induction shows that something ACTUALLY IS operative; Abduction merely suggests that something MAY BE.
Page 38 - pointing" or "indicating" and "is now employed in linguistics to refer to the function of personal and demonstrative pronouns, of tense and of a variety of other grammatical and lexical features which relate utterances to the spatio-temporal co-ordinates of the act of utterance
Page 75 - Orientation toward the ADDRESSEE, the CONATIVE function, finds its purest grammatical expression in the vocative and imperative, which syntactically, morphologically, and often even phonemically deviate from other nominal and verbal categories. The imperative sentences cardinally differ from declarative sentences: the latter are and the former are not liable to a truth test. When in O'Neill's play The Fountain, Nano, '(in a fierce tone of command),' says 'Drink!' - the imperative cannot be challenged...
References to this book
Bibliographic information
| Title | Markedness Theory Sound and Meaning: The Roman J Sound and Meaning: The Roman Jakobson Series in Linguistics and Poetics Sound and meaning The Roman Jakobson series in linguistics and philology |
| Author | Edna Andrews |
| Editor | Edna Andrews |
| Publisher | Duke University Press, 1990 |
| ISBN | 0822309599, 9780822309598 |
| Length | 220 pages |
| Subjects | › Literary Criticism / Semiotics & Theory |
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