This study in crosslinguistic semantics explores the territory where logicnatural language and typology meet. While we can all understand the semanticsof negati... » 

This study in crosslinguistic semantics explores the territory where logicnatural language and typology meet. While we can all understand the semanticsof negation in its role of altering truth values this ambitious book aims totake the reader much further. A unified analysis of the linguistic behaviorof negation is hampered by the myriad variations in its syntax and semantics inlanguages around the world. This is true not just for the expression ofnegatives but for their interpretation too. De Swart deploys the framework ofbidirectional Optimality Theory to develop a typology of the relationshipbetween syntax and semantics in negation markers and negative indefinites. Inthis model syntactic and semantic constraints act in concert to define thegrammar of a language. Some languages are double negative some negativeconcord and others belong to subclasses identified by strict negativeconcord nonstrict negative concord or negative spread. In addition to theabove the author analyses intermediate cases and examines complex instancesof double negation occurring in negative concord languages. Her OT analysis ofthe Jespersen cycle brings together typological and diachronic variation. Thisbooks unique combination of theoretical precision and wide empirical coveragemake it essential reading for any researcher approaching semantic typology froma logical linguistic or cognitive perspective. TOCFrom the contents Preface.1. Negation in a crosslinguistic perspective. 2. Expressive and interpretiveoptimization. 3. Markedness of negation. 4. A typology of negativeindefinites. 5. Sentential negation and negative indefinites. 6. More ondouble negation. 7. Conclusion and perspectives for further research.References. Index SubjectsNamesLanguages. «