Semantic functions of subject, prototype theory and metonymy Cover Image

Semantičke funkcije subjekta, teorija prototipova i metonimija
Semantic functions of subject, prototype theory and metonymy

Author(s): Gabrijela Buljan, Dubravko Kučanda
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies
Published by: Filozofski fakultet, Sveučilište Josipa Jurja Strossmayera, Osijek
Keywords: subject; semantic roles; prototype theory; metonymy

Summary/Abstract: This paper has argued that morphological and syntactic properties of subjects decrease as subjects deviate from the prototypical subject, which simultaneously encodes the semantic function Agent and the pragmatic function topic. On the other hand, the paper also argues that the mapping of a particular semantic role/function is not independent of the type of metonymic mapping, as is evident from the acceptability of some metonymic mappings (LOCATION-FOR-INSTITUTION vs. LOCATION-FOR-RESPONSIBLE PERSON(S)). The initial hypo-thesis is that such discrepancies between English and Croatian are an instation of a more general metaphorical/metonymic difference: INANIMATE-FOR-ANIMATE.

  • Issue Year: V/2004
  • Issue No: 1+2
  • Page Range: 87-101
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Croatian