The Semantics of Case

The book investigates the relationship between semantics and case-marking in the languages of the world, exploring how case-assignment is affected by or affects meaning. It considers different approaches to the phenomena, including syntactic and semantic analyses, and raises the question of whether case can be treated as meaningful, shedding light on the broader connections between grammar and meaning and grammar and the human cognition.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 305 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The study of case has been a significant focus in linguistics for a long time, with the majority of the literature primarily focusing on the syntax of case. However, semantics also plays a crucial role in understanding how case operates. This book delves into the relationship between semantics and case-marking in languages worldwide, exploring various phenomena where case-assignment is influenced by or affects meaning. By gathering data from a diverse range of languages representing different language families, a cross-linguistic picture emerges of the correlation between case and meaning. Different approaches to the phenomena are considered, including both syntactic and semantic analyses, and the question is raised as to whether case can be treated as meaningful, ultimately shedding light on the broader connections between grammar and meaning and, more broadly, grammar and human cognition.

Weight: 358g
ISBN-13: 9781108403474