Argument Structure

Definition

Argument structure refers to the formal representation of the relationships between a verb and its arguments, which are typically the entities involved in the action, such as the subject, object, and adjuncts. This concept plays a crucial role in understanding how different syntactic structures can be formed and how meanings are constructed in a sentence, linking syntax with semantics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Argument structure can vary based on the verb, as different verbs can have different numbers and types of arguments.
2. In argument structure, transitive verbs require a subject and an object, while intransitive verbs only require a subject.
3. The way arguments are expressed can change depending on syntactic structures; for example, passive constructions alter the order of arguments.
4. Understanding argument structure is essential for compositional semantics because it helps explain how sentence meaning is derived from its components.
5. Languages may exhibit different argument structures due to grammatical constraints or variations in verb usage, influencing how meaning is interpreted.

Review Questions

• How do theta roles contribute to understanding argument structure?
  • Theta roles play a vital role in understanding argument structure as they define the specific relationships between verbs and their arguments. Each verb assigns theta roles to its arguments, indicating who is performing the action (agent) and who is affected by it (patient). Recognizing these roles helps clarify how different arguments function within a sentence, leading to a deeper understanding of both syntax and meaning.
• Discuss how syntactic trees illustrate the concept of argument structure in sentences.
  • Syntactic trees visually represent the hierarchical relationships among the components of a sentence, including its arguments. By mapping out how subjects, objects, and adjuncts relate to one another through branches and nodes, these trees demonstrate the underlying argument structure. This visual tool helps clarify how different syntactic arrangements can reflect varying meanings and emphasize specific elements within the sentence.
• Evaluate the implications of argument structure variations across different languages for understanding universal grammar principles.
  • The variations in argument structures across languages raise important questions about universal grammar principles. While some languages may share similar syntactic patterns or argument configurations, others exhibit distinct differences influenced by cultural or contextual factors. Evaluating these variations can shed light on how linguistic structures are shaped by cognitive processes and communicative needs, suggesting that while there are commonalities in human language, there are also significant divergences that inform our understanding of linguistic theory.

Related terms

Theta Roles: Theta roles are the semantic roles that verbs assign to their arguments, such as agent, patient, experiencer, and goal, which help determine the argument structure.

Syntactic Trees: Syntactic trees are graphical representations of the hierarchical structure of sentences that illustrate how phrases and clauses relate to one another within argument structure.

Semantic Roles: Semantic roles describe the function that a participant plays in the context of an event or action, which is critical for analyzing argument structure in relation to meaning.