Markedness TheoryDuke University Press, 1990 M05 9 - 220 pages Edna 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
The Principles of Jakobsonian Markedness Theory | 9 |
Peirce and Jakobson Revisited A Reconciliation | 44 |
Markedness Theory as Mathematical Principle | 81 |
Myths About Markedness | 136 |
The Category of Grammatical Gender in Russian SerboCroatian and Modern Greek | 166 |
Notes | 189 |
| 199 | |
| 211 | |
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Common terms and phrases
analysis animacy axiom axiom of choice axiomatic base binary relations conceptual features context declension defined definition deictic deixis demonstrate Dhimotiki Dimensionality discussion distinction emotional interpretants example exist feminine Figure function fundamental gender shift genitive given grammatical gender Halmos hierarchy icon imply induction inference invariant Jakobson Jakobsonian markedness theory L2 learner lexemes lexical meaning linguistic sign linguistic system logical interpretant Lyons marked category marked/unmarked markedness reversal masc masculine mathematics modern Greek morphology Mouton necessarily ness neuter neutralization notion nouns object occur opposition past tense Peirce Peirce's Peircean perfective aspect phonemes phonology plural potential principles property of meaning qualitative reference role Roman Jakobson Russian verbal Savan Schooneveld semantic semiotic Serbo-Croatian set theory Shapiro sign systems signifier singular speaker specific speech event statement structure subset syncretism synonymy syntagmatic theory of markedness Thom tion topology trichotomy types van Schooneveld verb verbal aspect verbal categories versus