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- Convenors:
-
Murad Jalilov
(University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)
Kevin Tuite (University of Montreal)
John Colarusso (McMaster University)
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- Theme:
- LAN
- Location:
- Posvar 3800
- Start time:
- 26 October, 2018 at
Time zone: America/New_York
- Session slots:
- 1
Long Abstract:
The panel highlights work in Caucasian Linguistics: Beynen analyzes the Georgian verbal affix -am which describes that the subject and object can be observed separate and in close contact with mutual influences. This is described using Jakobson's and van Schooneveld's semantic distinctive features: van Schooneveld's "duplication," later "enumeration," and Jakobson's "directionality" or van Schooneveld's "extension." The initial separateness of subject and object is described by van Schooneveld's "enumeration." Sharashenidze shows how grammaticalization has given rise to a new system in Georgian. Beginning from the XIV - XV centuries, major changes occurred due to systemic changes of certain forms. The most striking change is shown by the verb "ndoma" (want). Its formal and functional changes, as well as numerous cases of grammaticalization related to this form, led to the development of modality. While grammaticalization often leads to the loss of certain semantic features, analysis of the form "ndoma" enables us discuss the appearance of new semantics in this form (semantic abundance). The original semantics of "want/desire" gave rise to diverse modal meanings in Georgian. In Georgian, the modal form "unda" can express the content which is usually expressed by means of several verbs in other languages (e.g.: must, have to, should). This speaks of the semantic abundance of the above form. Hence, we should find out which semantics can be considered primary i.e. existing at the initial stage of grammaticalization, and which semantics was secondary i.e. developed at a later stage. Makharoblidze surveys current research on Georgian Sign Language, especially as connected with computational linguistics and lexicology, and provides an update on work on a universal sign language translator, which will be able to translate the texts from any sign language into spoken and vice versa. The paper specifies theoretical and methodological approaches used to design the software prototype.
Accepted papers:
Session 1Paper long abstract:
Georgian Sign Language (GESL) is a language of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people (DHH) in Georgia. The current researches on GESL are connected with computational linguistics and lexicology. Our group at Ilia State University works on sign language universal translator, which will be able to translate the texts from any sign language into spoken and vice versa. This issue is concerning the communication problems for DHH word wide.
We elaborated the theory of neutral signs (NS). For the current moment we are building the mini corpora for GESL to test the elaborated software prototype. We should collect data according the proper methodology structuring the information, analyzing and comparing the signs from different sign languages (SL), creating the special API for integration to any other SL corpora, revealing and then testing the elaborated algorithms for the universal SL translator, elaborating the software and hardware design concepts for the final product.
Keywords: Georgian Sign Language, Sign recognizing engine, Sigh language machinery interpreter, SL soft
Paper long abstract:
The Development of Modal Meaning - Georgian Unda
Grammaticalization has given rise to a new system in Georgian. Beginning from the XIV - XV centuries, major changes were made in the language due to systemic changes of certain forms. The most striking change can be observed with regard to the verb "ndoma" (want).
The analysis of the process of grammaticalization of the verb form "ndoma" (want) has revealed that the first semantic shift was related not to the third person form, but to the second person form "gina/ginda". The first stage of grammaticalization of the verb "ndoma" (want) is related to the semantics of free choice and indifference. The decategorized form "unda" reveals the same semantics. Later it was enriched by another semantics, that of debitive, obligation, deontic modality and epistemic necessity, which, in their turn, gave rise to numerous sub-semantic contents.
Grammaticalization of the second person form of the verb "gina" (you want) underwent the following way of development: gina > ginda > gind > gindac > tu ginda / tu gind > tugindac. The form "tugindac". The process of grammaticalization means the following transformation: reanalysis > decategorilization > phonological reduction.
The development of the form unda can be represented by the following stages of grammaticalization: reanalysis > decategorilization > abstracting out > phonological reduction. Abstracting out means diverse development of the modal semantics of "unda", which yields a semantically abundant and multifunctional content in contemporary Georgian.
The process of grammaticalization of the form "unda" is completed in the dialects, and it has turned into a clitic.
Key words: Grammaticalization, modality, modal meaning, modal form.