Semantiac and Pragmatic Study on Referential/Non-referential Noun Phrases

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We have given various considerations to semantic properties of the subject NP and the predicate NP in copular sentences. The notion of NPIV (NP involving a variable) is essential for the explanation of ambiguity an NP shows with respect to referentiality. This notion has been profitably employed to make the following findings :(1) The NP "A" in a specificational sentence of the form "A wa B da" is an NPIV and not a referential NP.The NP, therefore, cannot stand as the topic of the sentence, nor can the sentence itself be properly called a topic sentence, contrary to a widely held opinion. (Cf.Nishiyama 2000)(2) To understand the ambiguity of the expression "the grammar that a speaker knows" helps to resolve the confusion surrounding the controversial question of what is the identity of a speaker's grammar. (Cf.Nishiyama 1998)(3) When compared with English inverted sentences, it becomes clear that one type of "A ga B da" sentence exemplified by "Tokuni osusumenano ga kono menyuu desu" serves a presentational function, which is quite distinct from either the function of identification or that of specification. A in this type of sentence does not describe the characteristics of B nor does it contain a variable. (Cf.Kumamoto 2000)We have also shown the significance of the approach based on the semantic functions actually performed by the constituents in the subject position and the predicate position in a given sentence. Specifically, we have proved the following :(4) Not only NPs and APs but also PPs function as predicatives, which is supported by cross language data. (Cf.Koya 1998, )(5) Analysis of copular sentences based solely on formal aspects such as word order or definite-indefinite distinction has its limitations. (Cf.Kumamoto 1998)