Mira Ariel
Biographic Data
| ID | 659306 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Mira Ariel |
| GIVEN NAMES | Mira |
| FAMILY NAME | Ariel |
| SIGNATURE | ARIEL M |
| AFFILIATIONS | Tel Aviv University |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-2018-6917 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 51 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 501 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 51 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1983 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 11 |
Scaffolding the sentential Ultimate construction into a word: A link-based analysis
In this paper, we propose a model that accounts for the change in the grammatical status of the members of the Hebrew Ultimate construction family, the only full sentences in Hebrew to undergo lexicalization, from extra-sentential elements to full-fledged words, specifically, flexible modifiers. We propose a specific type of contextual construction — the Anaphoric degree-adverb exclamative — and argue that it is this construction that enables bot…
The child’s “or” construction: It’s all about choice
“Or” is associated, in Gricean approaches, with the readings Inclusive (“at least one, and possibly both, options are true”) and Exclusive (“exactly one option is true”). Empirical findings show adults favoring Exclusive readings; but for children, the literature yields puzzling results. Laboratory comprehension tasks suggest children favor Inclusive, but naturalistic evidence suggests children’s “or” productions are overwhelmingly Exclusive. We …
A few or several ? Construal, quantity, and argumentativity
This study examines two seemingly similar quantifiers, a few and several , and argues that the differences between them go beyond the (slightly) different quantities they each denote. Specifically, we argue that several construes its nominal complement as composed of individuated entities, which renders them more prominent, and thus a stronger basis in support of a conclusion the speaker is arguing for. We base our analysis on two experiments and…
Scales and inferences
Scalar inferences (SIs) are upper-bounding inferences associated with the use of semantically lower-bounded scalar expressions. One of the current debates regarding these inferences concerns their inferential pattern, specifically whether SIs are uniform or diverse across scales. This study follows the work on scalar diversity yet introduces two changes: First, we reexamine, from a different perspective, two structural properties of scales identi…
From location to conjunction, disjunction, partition, exemplification and association: Hebrew bein constructions
Analyzing the diachrony of Hebrew bein , originally a spatial preposition ‘within/among’, this article traces several grammaticization clines associated with bein ’s gradual evolution into a rich variety of functions within various constructions. While its early function is purely locative, bein later participates in an array of constructions and sub-constructions, where its syntactic status, its semantic meanings and functions, as well as its di…
Discourse context cannot make ‘or’ inclusive (only experimental task can)
The missing link between truth and intensification
Truth markers commonly evolve into intensifiers ( Heine & Kuteva 2002 ), but we here argue that this shift is only indirect, and a counter-loosening phase necessarily mediates between truth marking and intensification. Counter-looseners instruct the addressee to avoid (or rather, constrain) the very natural interpretative process of broadening, whereby the speaker-intended concept would have been taken as a loosened, “more or less” interpretation…
Predicating Truth: An empirically based analysis
Or constructions, argumentative direction and disappearing 'alternativity
Or constructions: Code, inference and cue too
Utterance interpretation involves semantically specified codes and context-based pragmatic inferences, which complement each other. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate the very complex relation between a subset of codes, Goldbergian constructions, specifically ones centering around ‘alternativity’, and pragmatic inferences. I analyze a variety of or constructions and sub-constructions, emphasizing not only the role of coded constructions on …
An 'alternative' core for or
Different prominences for different inferences
Why use or
Orconstructions introduce a set of alternatives into the discourse. But alternativity does not exhaust speakers' intended messages. Speakers use the profiledoralternatives as a starting point for expressing a variety of readings. Ever since (Grice, H. Paul. 1989.Studies in the way of words. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press) and (Horn. 1972.On the semantic properties of the logical operators in English. Los Angeles, CA: University of Califo…
Revisiting the typology of pragmatic interpretations
Pragmatic inferences are essential to understanding speakers’ communicative intentions. I here revisit the typology of pragmatic inferences and minimally revise it by incorporating into it additional distinctions. Inspired by Recanati’s (
What's a distinct or alternative
Pronominal datives: The royal road to argument status
Based on a large corpus of dative constructions in Hebrew, we propose that dative-marked pronominals manifest a facilitated path from adjunct to argument. Since datives tend to be pronominal, adding them onto existing argument structures avoids a clash with the Preferred Argument Structure (PAS) Quantity constraint against more than one lexical noun phrase per clause. Supporting a more fluid adjunct/argument distinction, our first claim is that d…
Doubling up: Two upper bounds for scalars
Most theories of scalar quantifiers, of whatever persuasion, assume a lexical lower-bound-only, 'at least' meaning for scalar quantifiers, offering pragmatic or grammatical mechanisms for deriving the upper bound (Carston 1990; Chierchia 2004; Horn 1972 and onwards). I have challenged the lower-bound analysis in Ariel (2004), proposing instead a
Levels of interpretation: New tools for characterizing intended meanings
Accessing Noun-Phrase Antecedents (RLE Linguistics B: (Grammar)
Accessing Noun-Phrase Antecedents offers a radical shift in the analysis of discourse anaphora, from a purely pragmatic account to a cognitive account, in terms of processing procedures. Mira Ariel defines referring expressions as markers signalling the degree of Accessibility in memory of the antecedent. The notion of Accessibility is explicitly defined, the crucial factors being the Salience of the antecedent, and the Unity between the antecede…
Centering, accessibility and the next mention
Letters to Language
Letters to Language Mira Ariel and Keith Allan Language accepts letters from readers that briefly and succinctly respond to or comment upon either material published previously in the journal or issues deemed of importance to the field. The editor reserves the right to edit letters as needed. Brief replies from relevant parties are included as warranted. July 2, 2012 To the Editor: According to Keith Allan (Language 88.2. 413-16), I am constantly…
Relational and independent and conjunctions
Grammar, semantics and pragmatics
Metalanguage in Interaction: Hebrew Discourse Markers
Defining Pragmatics
Although there is no shortage of definitions for pragmatics the received wisdom is that 'pragmatics' simply cannot be coherently defined. In this groundbreaking book Mira Ariel challenges the prominent definitions of pragmatics, as well as the widely-held assumption that specific topics - implicatures, deixis, speech acts, politeness - naturally and uniformly belong on the pragmatics turf. She reconstitutes the field, defining grammar as a set of…
Accessing Noun-Phrase Antecedents (RLE Linguistics B: (Grammar)
Accessing Noun-Phrase Antecedents offers a radical shift in the analysis of discourse anaphora, from a purely pragmatic account to a cognitive account, in terms of processing procedures. Mira Ariel defines referring expressions as markers signalling the degree of Accessibility in memory of the antecedent. The notion of Accessibility is explicitly defined, the crucial factors being the Salience of the antecedent, and the Unity between the antecede…
Referring and accessibility
The analysis of referring expressions can be divided into two branches for our purposes. The first includes theories of definite descriptions and proper names. The key to the riddle of the appropriate use of such expressions, it was thought, is the notion of presupposition: existence and/or uniqueness. Indeed, this was the question that dominated the literature for many years, starting with the early philosophical analyses of Frege (1982), Russel…
Whose language? A study in linguistic pragmatics
The function of accessibility in a theory of grammar
Interpreting anaphoric expressions: A cognitive versus a pragmatic approach
Levinson (1985, 1987a & b, 1991) and Ariel (1985a & b, 1987, 1988a & b, 1990a, 1991) have each proposed to anchor discourse and sentential anaphora within a more general theory of communication. Levinson chose a general, extra-linguistic pragmatic theory. He uses Grice's Quantity maxim to account for the distribution of zeros, reflexives, pronouns and lexical NPs, claiming that coreferent readings are preferred, unless a disjoint reading is impli…
Metalanguage in Interaction: Hebrew Discourse Markers
Privileged interactional interpretations
Levels of interpretation: New tools for characterizing intended meanings
The demise of a unique concept of literal meaning
Defining Pragmatics
Although there is no shortage of definitions for pragmatics the received wisdom is that 'pragmatics' simply cannot be coherently defined. In this groundbreaking book Mira Ariel challenges the prominent definitions of pragmatics, as well as the widely-held assumption that specific topics - implicatures, deixis, speech acts, politeness - naturally and uniformly belong on the pragmatics turf. She reconstitutes the field, defining grammar as a set of…
Revisiting the typology of pragmatic interpretations
Pragmatic inferences are essential to understanding speakers’ communicative intentions. I here revisit the typology of pragmatic inferences and minimally revise it by incorporating into it additional distinctions. Inspired by Recanati’s (
Most
Ever since Horn 1972, it has been a received view that the lexical meaning of scalar quantifiers specifies only a lower bound. Most, it is assumed, codes 'more than half', also covering 'all'. To account for most's common interpretation, 'more than half but less than all', linguists have assumed a 'not all' implicature. I argue that the implicature analysis cannot account for most of the discourse data, and that the upper bound on most is indepen…
Why use or
Orconstructions introduce a set of alternatives into the discourse. But alternativity does not exhaust speakers' intended messages. Speakers use the profiledoralternatives as a starting point for expressing a variety of readings. Ever since (Grice, H. Paul. 1989.Studies in the way of words. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press) and (Horn. 1972.On the semantic properties of the logical operators in English. Los Angeles, CA: University of Califo…
Different prominences for different inferences
Accessibility Marking: Discourse Functions, Discourse Profiles, and Processing Cues
When accounting for the usage of some linguistic form, one can refer to its discourse profile, all concomitant features frequently co-occurring with that form in discourse, or abstract a more general claim about its discourse function, referring only to the necessary and sufficient conditions for the proper occurrence of the form. This article discusses discourse profile and discourse function approaches to referring expressions in linguistic and…
A self versus other point of view in language: Redefining Femininity and Masculinity
Article A self versus other point of view in language: redefining femininity and masculinity was published on January 1, 1998 in the journal International Journal of the Sociology of Language (volume 1998, issue 129)
Deixis grammar and culture
Female and male stereotypes in Israeli literature and media: Evidence from introductory patterns
Retrieving propositions from context: Why and how
An 'alternative' core for or
What's a distinct or alternative
Relational and independent and conjunctions
Discourse, grammar, discourse
Discourse and grammar often complement each other, each imposing a different set of constraints on speakers' utterances. Discourse constraints are global, pertaining to text coherence, and/or to interpersonal relations. Grammatical constraints are local, pertaining to possible versus impossible structures (within specific languages). Yet, the two must meet in natural discourse. At every point during interaction speakers must simultaneously satisf…
"The linguistic status of the "here and now
Linguistic marking of social prominence: The Hebrew mi s̃e introducer
Linguistic marking of social prominence: The Hebrew mi s̃e introducer
The Discourse Functions of Given Information
The Discourse Functions of Given Information
Whose language? A study in linguistic pragmatics
Referring and accessibility
The analysis of referring expressions can be divided into two branches for our purposes. The first includes theories of definite descriptions and proper names. The key to the riddle of the appropriate use of such expressions, it was thought, is the notion of presupposition: existence and/or uniqueness. Indeed, this was the question that dominated the literature for many years, starting with the early philosophical analyses of Frege (1982), Russel…
Female and male stereotypes in Israeli literature and media: Evidence from introductory patterns
Retrieving propositions from context: Why and how
Talking straight: Dugri speech in Israeli Sabra Culture
The function of accessibility in a theory of grammar
The Role of Women in Linguistic and Narrative Change: A Study of the Hebrew Pre-State Literature
This article investigates gender stereotyping in the Hebrew literature in Palestine during the 1930s in order to find out the extent to which a new ideology effects linguistic and narrative changes. On the assumption that the foundation of the new society was motivated by an egalitarian ideology, the article examines the ideology's reflection in the literature of the period. To this end, three types of analysis were performed: an analysis of the …
Interpreting anaphoric expressions: A cognitive versus a pragmatic approach
Levinson (1985, 1987a & b, 1991) and Ariel (1985a & b, 1987, 1988a & b, 1990a, 1991) have each proposed to anchor discourse and sentential anaphora within a more general theory of communication. Levinson chose a general, extra-linguistic pragmatic theory. He uses Grice's Quantity maxim to account for the distribution of zeros, reflexives, pronouns and lexical NPs, claiming that coreferent readings are preferred, unless a disjoint reading is impli…
Deixis grammar and culture
The Syntax and Pragmatics of Anaphora: A Study with Special Reference to Chinese
Preface Abbreviations used in glosses 1. A neo-Gricean pragmatic theory and anaphora Part I. Anaphora in Government and Binding Theory: 2. Empty categories 3. Control 4. Long-distance reflexivisation Part II. The Pragmatic Theory of Anaphora: 5. A neo-Gricean pragmatic theory of anaphora 6. Further applications of the theory 7. Anaphoric production in conversation 8. Anaphoric resolution in conversation 9. Conclusions Notes References Index of na…
"The linguistic status of the "here and now
A self versus other point of view in language: Redefining Femininity and Masculinity
Article A self versus other point of view in language: redefining femininity and masculinity was published on January 1, 1998 in the journal International Journal of the Sociology of Language (volume 1998, issue 129)
Mapping So-called “Pragmatic” Phenomena According to a “Linguistic-Extralinguistic” Distinction: The case of propositions marked “accessible”
Cognitive Universals and Linguistic Conventions: The Case of Resumptive Pronouns
Generativist pragmatists and discourse grammarians both subscribe to a functional view of language, but they do not agree on the nature of pragmatic principles. Prince (1988a,b) has argued that form-function correlations are arbitrary and language specific. Discourse grammarians have argued that pragmatic, and even grammatical rules, emerge out of universal, natural and predictable extralinguistic pressures. I will argue that although the distrib…
Accessibility theory: An overview
The Possessive NP Construction: Discourse Function and Discourse Profile
Pragmatists and discourse grammarians have benefited tremendously from examining naturally occurring data. An examination of all and only the necessary discoursal conditions obtaining when a certain linguistic expression occurs has paved the way for pragmatists to describe the appropriateness conditions placed on linguistic forms. These were identified as the discourse functions of those linguistic expressions. For example, based on an empirical …
The demise of a unique concept of literal meaning
Privileged interactional interpretations
Does most mean ‘more than half’
Proceedings of the Twenty-Ninth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society: General Session and Parasession on Phonetic Sources of Phonological Patterns: Synchronic and Diachronic Explanations (2003)
Accessibility Marking: Discourse Functions, Discourse Profiles, and Processing Cues
When accounting for the usage of some linguistic form, one can refer to its discourse profile, all concomitant features frequently co-occurring with that form in discourse, or abstract a more general claim about its discourse function, referring only to the necessary and sufficient conditions for the proper occurrence of the form. This article discusses discourse profile and discourse function approaches to referring expressions in linguistic and…
Most
Ever since Horn 1972, it has been a received view that the lexical meaning of scalar quantifiers specifies only a lower bound. Most, it is assumed, codes 'more than half', also covering 'all'. To account for most's common interpretation, 'more than half but less than all', linguists have assumed a 'not all' implicature. I argue that the implicature analysis cannot account for most of the discourse data, and that the upper bound on most is indepen…
Letters to Language
Letters to Language Martin Haspelmath, Alan S. Kaye, Dr. Peter Forster, Joseph F. Eska, Don Ringe, Sam Epstein, Norbert Hornstein, and Mira Ariel [Correction] Language accepts letters from readers that briefly and succinctly respond to or comment upon either material published previously in the journal or issues deemed of importance to the field. The editor reserves the right to edit letters as needed. Brief replies from relevant parties are incl…
Linguistics (44 works) · Philosophy (43 works) · Computer Science (27 works) · Psychology (27 works) · Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies (26 works) · Language, Metaphor, and Cognition (21 works) · Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation (21 works) · Philosophy (20 works) · Epistemology (14 works) · Pragmatics (11 works)