Abstract
Sentences of natural language may be analyzed as having a function/ argument structure, as was originally observed by Frege. For instance, in Julia weeps, the verb acts as a functor assigning a truth value to entities mentioned in the proper name position. But also, e.g., in Julia weeps bitterly, the adverb may be regarded as denoting a function from verbs to (complex) verbs. Thus, the interpretation of natural language expressions involves a hierarchy of functions — and the task of a categorial grammar is to assign suitable types of function (‘categories’) to linguistic expressions, so as to make the puzzle ‘fit’. This chapter is concerned with some logical aspects of the categorial mode of description.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1986 D. Reidel Publishing Company
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Van Benthem, J. (1986). Categorial Grammar. In: Essays in Logical Semantics. Studies in Linguistics and Philosophy, vol 29. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4540-1_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4540-1_7
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-90-277-2092-4
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-4540-1
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive