11.2 Binding theory and constraints on coreference
3 min read•july 19, 2024
explores how noun phrases relate to each other in sentences. It sets rules for anaphors, pronouns, and referential expressions, explaining when they can refer to the same entity or must refer to different ones.
These principles help us understand why certain sentences sound right or wrong. They're based on syntactic structure, particularly the concept of , but don't account for all factors influencing how we interpret references in language.
Binding Theory and Coreference Constraints
Principles of binding theory
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- Binding theory consists of a set of principles governing the referential dependencies between noun phrases (NPs) in a sentence
- Aims to explain the distribution and interpretation of anaphors (reflexives and reciprocals), pronouns, and referential expressions (names)
- states that anaphors must be bound in their local domain
- Binding is a syntactic relation where an NP (the ) c-commands and is coindexed with another NP
- Local domain is roughly equivalent to the minimal clause or complex NP containing the anaphor
- asserts that pronouns must be free (not bound) in their local domain
- Pronouns can be bound by an antecedent outside their local domain
- requires that R-expressions ( like names) must be free everywhere
- R-expressions cannot be bound by any antecedent in the sentence
Application of binding principles
- Anaphors such as reflexives (himself, herself) and reciprocals (each other) must have a local, c-commanding antecedent
- "John likes himself" is acceptable because "John" c-commands and is coindexed with "himself" in the local domain
- "John's mother likes himself" is unacceptable as "himself" is not bound by a local antecedent
- Pronouns must be free in their local domain but can be bound by a non-local antecedent
- "John thinks he is smart" is acceptable, where "he" refers to someone else
- "John thinks he is smart" is also acceptable, with "he" referring to John
- R-expressions cannot be bound by any antecedent in the sentence
- "He thinks John is smart" is acceptable since "John" is not bound by any antecedent
- "John thinks John is smart" is unacceptable because the second occurrence of "John" is bound by the first
Syntax and coreference constraints
- C-command is a structural relation between nodes in a syntax tree
- Node A c-commands node B if every branching node dominating A also dominates B, and A does not dominate B
- Binding principles rely on c-command and syntactic domains to determine coreference possibilities
- Anaphors must be c-commanded by their antecedents within their local domain
- Pronouns must not be c-commanded by their antecedents within their local domain
- R-expressions must not be c-commanded by any coindexed NP
- Syntactic structure plays a crucial role in determining the acceptability of coreference relations
Limitations of binding theory
- Binding theory focuses on syntactic constraints and does not fully account for all coreference possibilities
- Some limitations include:
- Does not explain the interpretation of pronouns in discourse across sentence boundaries
- Does not account for the role of pragmatics and context in determining coreference
- Does not explain the distribution of null pronouns (pro) in languages like Spanish and Italian
- Other factors influencing coreference:
- Discourse prominence and accessibility of referents
- Pragmatic factors such as plausibility and world knowledge
- Morphological and semantic features like gender, number, and animacy
- Binding theory provides a foundation for understanding coreference constraints but does not capture all aspects of reference resolution
Key Terms to Review (20)
Anaphora: Anaphora is a linguistic term that refers to the use of a word or phrase to refer back to another word or phrase that was mentioned earlier in discourse. This concept is crucial for understanding how meaning is constructed in communication, as it connects various parts of a sentence or larger text, allowing speakers and listeners to track referents effectively.
Antecedent: An antecedent is a linguistic element that provides reference for another expression, usually occurring prior to that expression in discourse. Understanding antecedents is crucial for grasping how pronouns, verbs, and larger discourse units relate to each other, influencing both meaning and coherence in communication.
Binding domains: Binding domains refer to the syntactic environments in which a pronoun or an anaphor can be correctly interpreted with respect to its antecedent. They play a crucial role in understanding how coreference operates, determining which elements can refer to each other within sentences and phrases, and are governed by specific rules outlined in binding theory.
Binding theory: Binding theory is a set of principles in linguistics that describes how noun phrases (NPs) relate to each other in terms of reference and coreference. It focuses on the conditions under which an NP can refer to another NP, particularly in relation to pronouns and their antecedents. This theory connects closely to thematic roles and case grammar, as understanding the relationship between nouns involves recognizing their roles in sentences and the grammatical cases they assume.
C-command: C-command is a syntactic relationship between nodes in a tree structure where one node is considered to c-command another if the first node dominates the second and does not dominate its sister node. This concept is crucial in understanding how different elements in a sentence can relate to each other, especially in terms of binding and coreference, which are essential for establishing who or what is being referred to within sentences.
Contextuality: Contextuality refers to the phenomenon where the meaning or interpretation of an expression is influenced by the surrounding context in which it is used. This concept is crucial in understanding how language functions, particularly when it comes to determining reference and the relationships between entities in a sentence, especially in the realms of binding theory and coreference.
Deictic expressions: Deictic expressions are words or phrases that require contextual information to convey meaning, often referring to the participants in a conversation, the time of the utterance, the location, or the discourse itself. They highlight how language is intertwined with context and help establish relationships between speakers and their environment. Understanding deixis is crucial as it emphasizes how meaning can change depending on who is speaking, when, and where.
Eve Clark: Eve Clark is a prominent linguist known for her research on language acquisition and the development of semantics and pragmatics in children. Her work has significantly contributed to understanding how children learn to use language meaningfully, particularly in the context of binding theory and constraints on coreference, which explore how pronouns and noun phrases relate to each other in sentences.
Government: In linguistics, government refers to a syntactic relationship between a head (such as a verb or preposition) and its dependents, where the head determines the case or grammatical form of the dependent elements. This concept is crucial for understanding how certain elements within a sentence interact, particularly in relation to binding theory and constraints on coreference.
Interpretive mechanisms: Interpretive mechanisms are cognitive processes and strategies that individuals use to understand and derive meaning from language in context. They play a crucial role in how we make sense of references, intentions, and meanings in communication, particularly concerning the way language interacts with context, including factors like pronouns and their antecedents.
Noam Chomsky: Noam Chomsky is a renowned linguist, philosopher, and cognitive scientist, often regarded as the father of modern linguistics. His theories on the nature of language and its innate structures have significantly influenced the fields of semantics and pragmatics, particularly through his concepts of generative grammar and the distinction between competence and performance.
Np (noun phrase) structure: Noun phrase (np) structure refers to a grammatical unit that consists of a noun and its modifiers, which can include determiners, adjectives, and other elements. This structure plays a crucial role in sentence formation and understanding coreference, as it determines how entities are referred to and related within discourse, impacting binding theory and the rules that govern co-reference relationships.
Principle A: Principle A is a core component of Binding Theory that asserts that a reflexive pronoun must be bound in its local domain. This principle helps determine how pronouns and reflexives are interpreted in relation to their antecedents, providing essential rules for understanding coreference within sentences. By defining the conditions under which a reflexive can refer back to its antecedent, Principle A plays a crucial role in analyzing how identity and reference work in language.
Principle B: Principle B is a key concept in Binding Theory that states that anaphors must be locally bound, meaning they cannot be free in their reference. This principle relates to how pronouns and other referring expressions are used in sentences, ensuring they refer to a specific antecedent within a certain syntactic domain. Understanding this principle helps clarify constraints on coreference and how various entities in language interact with one another.
Principle C: Principle C is a component of Binding Theory that states that an expression must be free in the governing category of another expression if the former is a pronoun. This principle plays a critical role in understanding how reference and coreference work in language, particularly concerning how pronouns relate to their antecedents.
Referring expressions: Referring expressions are linguistic elements that serve to identify or refer to entities in discourse, enabling communication about particular individuals, objects, or concepts. These expressions can take various forms, such as pronouns, definite noun phrases, or proper names, and their interpretation often relies on context and shared knowledge between speakers. Understanding referring expressions is crucial for analyzing how meaning is constructed and how coherence is maintained in conversation.
Scope of reference: Scope of reference refers to the range or extent to which an expression can refer to different entities or situations in a given context. It is important in understanding how language functions, especially in relation to binding theory and constraints on coreference, as it affects how different noun phrases can refer back to their antecedents within sentences or larger discourse.
Sloppy Identity: Sloppy identity refers to a specific type of coreference that occurs in ellipsis contexts, particularly in cases of identity between two expressions where one is understood to be a variation or transformation of the other. This concept is crucial in understanding how different expressions can refer to the same underlying meaning while allowing for variations in their surface form, especially when pronouns or noun phrases are omitted but still imply reference to the original subject or object. It highlights how context and structure affect our interpretations of meaning and reference.
Strict coreference: Strict coreference refers to a relationship between expressions in a sentence where two or more referring expressions point to the exact same entity without any ambiguity. This means that if one expression can replace another in a sentence without changing its meaning, they are said to be in strict coreference. Understanding this concept is essential for grasping the dynamics of how reference works in language, especially regarding the conditions under which different expressions can co-refer.
Syntactic hierarchy: Syntactic hierarchy refers to the organization of phrases and clauses in a structured manner, showing how different parts of a sentence relate to each other. This hierarchy indicates which elements are constituents and how they combine to form larger units, impacting the interpretation of meaning and grammaticality. It plays a crucial role in understanding binding theory and constraints on coreference, as it dictates how expressions can refer to each other within sentences.