Role and reference grammar (RRG) is a model of
grammar
In linguistics, grammar is the set of rules for how a natural language is structured, as demonstrated by its speakers or writers. Grammar rules may concern the use of clauses, phrases, and words. The term may also refer to the study of such rul ...
developed by
William A. Foley and
Robert Van Valin, Jr. in the 1980s, which incorporates many of the points of view of current
functional grammar theories.
In RRG, the description of a sentence in a particular language is formulated in terms of (a) its logical (semantic) structure and communicative functions, and (b) the grammatical procedures that are available in the language for the expression of these meanings.
Among the main features of RRG are the use of
lexical decomposition, based upon the predicate semantics of
David Dowty (1979), an analysis of
clause structure, and the use of a set of
thematic roles organized into a hierarchy in which the highest-ranking roles are 'Actor' (for the most active participant) and 'Undergoer'.
RRG's practical approach to language is demonstrated in the multilingual
Natural Language Understanding (NLU) system of cognitive scientist
John Ball. In 2012, Ball integrated his Patom Theory with Role and Reference Grammar, producing a language independent NLU breaking down language by meaning.
See also
*
Relational grammar
*
Syntax‐semantics interface
Bibliography
* Foley, William A.; & Robert D. Van Valin, Jr (1984). ''Functional syntax and universal grammar.'' Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
* Van Valin, Robert D., Jr. (Ed.). (1993). ''Advances in Role and Reference Grammar''. Amsterdam: Benjamins.
* Van Valin, Robert D., Jr. (1993). A synopsis of Role and Reference Grammar. In R. D. Van Valin Jr. (Ed.), ''Advances in Role and Reference Grammar'' (pp. 1–164). Amsterdam: Benjamins.
* Van Valin, Robert D., Jr.; & William A. Foley (1980). Role and Reference Grammar. In: E. A. Moravcsik & J. R. Wirth (Eds.), ''Current approaches to syntax'' (pp. 329–352). Syntax and semantics (Vol. 13). New York: Academic Press.
* Van Valin, Robert D., Jr.; & Randy LaPolla (1997). ''Syntax: Structure, meaning and function''. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
* Van Valin, Robert D., Jr. (2003). ''Exploring the Syntax-Semantics Interface''. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
External links
John Ball use of RRG for Machine IntelligenceIntroduction to RRG ("A Summary of Role and Reference Grammar"PDF
Professor Daniel Everett's reference to RRG's applicability to Amazonian language(Book, Page 207)
RRG analysis of modification and secondary predication in LakotaPDF
Grammar frameworks
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