LINGUIST List 6.559

Thu 13 Apr 1995

Qs: Literature search, Nepali, Hist of sign, Vowels after [hw]

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1. Niels van der Mast, query: literature on lexical means to invoke strong/weak commitment
2. Gilles Boye, Nepali
3. Henry Rogers, query
4. Alexis Manaster Ramer, Q: vowel changes after [hw]

Query: literature on lexical means to invoke strong/weak commitment

Dear netters,

In the area of modal auxiliaries, the distinctions between
"desires/permission" and "certainties/obligations" (want/may vs.
shall/must), or between "possibilities" and "certainties/
necessities" (can/may vs. shall/must) are well described. In my
research project I am investigating the way interaction and/or
collaboration influences (i.a.) the linguistic form of texts. From
looking at some data, it became apparent that writers frequently
in fact use LEXICAL means to invoke the same difference that is so
well known in the area of modals. Sometimes they are writing with a
high degree of commitment as to the contents or outcome of certain
policies (using predicates like "is necessary", "is unavoidable"),
but especially for lesser degrees of commitment, a whole lot of
different things can be used (some aspect "will receive attention",
or some type of action "is to be preferred", etcetera).

Now what I would like to know is if there is any literature in which
lexical meanings, esp. of verbs and adjectives, are discussed/
analyzed in terms of such distinctions as are common in the area of
modals.

I'll be happy to post a summary of the responses to the net.

Thanks in advance!
--Niels

============================================================
Niels van der Mast
Centre for Language and Communication - Utrecht University
Trans 10
3512 JK Utrecht
The Netherlands

phone: +31 30 - 53 8087 (office)
fax: +31 30 - 53 6000
e-mail: Niels.vanderMastlet.ruu.nl
============================================================

Dear Linguist,

I would be very grateful if you could provide me with information
(phonological, morphological, syntactical and/or semantical) about Nepali ,
the national language of Nepal. (English, French and Nepali documents'
references preferably.)

Many thanks in advance.

Gilles Boye
Gilles.BoyeLinguist.Jussieu.fr

I am looking for information on the history of  (the at sign).

In a more general way, does anyone know of a general
reference to the history of such signs ( # $ % &) and/or punctuation.

Thanks

Henry Rogers rogersepas.utoronto.ca
Dept. of Linguistics
University of Toronto vox: 416-978-1769
Toronto, Ont., Canada, M5S 1A1 fax: 416-971-2688

Does anybody know of sound changes affecting vowel quality
only in the environment after [hw]. I find myself having
to assume that this happened in Tubatulabal, with [a]) [i-]
(barred i, that is) and [i-]) [o] in this environment, and
I would like to find some parallels.

Alexis Manaster Ramer