The Uses of Objects Task is a widely used assessment of creative performance, but it relies on subjective scoring methods for evaluation. A new version of the task was devised using Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA), a computational tool used to measure semantic distance. 135 participants provided as many creative uses for as they could for 20 separate objects. Responses were analyzed for strategy use, category switching, variety, and originality of responses, as well as subjective measure of creativity by independent raters. The LSA originality measure was more reliable than the subjective measure, and values averaged over participants correlated with both subjective evaluations and self-assessment of creativity. The score appeared to successfully isolate the creativity of the people themselves, rather than the potential creativity afforded by a given object.

El objetivo de esta tesis es explorar la Teoría de Fases de Chomsky (cf. Chomsky 2000; 2001; 2004; 2005; 2007; en preparación) y sus conexiones con la variación paramétrica. El estudio considera la hipótesis de que la computación sintáctica opera a través de pequeñas etapas derivacionales (las fases), prestando especial atención a los sistemas de Caso y concordancia, y al papel que desempeña la morfología en relación con la variación lingüística. El Capítulo I presenta las bases generales del marco teórico que se asume a lo largo de la tesis (el llamado Programa Minimista; cf. Chomsky 1993a hasta el presente), concentrándose tanto en las operaciones computacionales centrales (Fusión y Acuerdo) como en la naturaleza cíclica del sistema.El Capítulo II se dedica a la noción de fase, cuyos criterios de identificación son considerados con detenimiento. Se adopta la hipótesis de Pesetsky & Torrego (2001) de que lo que normalmente se llama 'Caso' es en realidad un rasgo no interpretable de 'aspecto'/'tiempo' codificado en la categoría D y se explora la idea (presente en el sistema de Chomsky, así como en el de Pesetsky & Torrego) de que la morfología no interpretable puede usarse para procesos sintácticos solo durante un breve período de tiempo, que precisamente coincide con las fases. Junto con Uriagereka (1999b), también se propone que las Lenguas de Sujeto Nulo (LSNs) recurren a un proceso adicional de Transferencia que es responsable de un macro-parámetro desencadenado por el movimiento del verbo, denominado aquí Corrimiento de Fase. Plausiblemente, este mecanismo explica el status particular de los sujetos en las LSNs (e.g., extracción, borrado del complementante, inversión obligatoria, etc.), además de otros fenómenos que previamente habían sido analizados en términos de nudos frontera, marcaje-L, rección o la distinción A/A-barra. En el Capítulo III, la atención se centra en un micro-parámetro relacionado con la arista de los núcleos de fase (su Periferia Izquierda). Se discute un corte paramétrico que implica a lo que Uriagereka (1995a; 1995b; 2002b) llama "FP", una proyección relacionada con la semántica de corte discursivo (anteriormente, "interpretación superficial"). Se defiende que la actividad sintáctica 'caliente' de la F de Uriagereka no se limita a la capa SC, extendiéndose también al Sv*, de una manera paralela (de hecho, tal y como predice el análisis de Uriagereka 2002b, el patrón se extiende a entornos nominales): aquellas lenguas con un SC más activo tienen un Sv* más activo. Esta 'activación' del margen periférico se relaciona con la morfología explícita, una idea tradicional que se refina y relaciona con la morfología temporal y el movimiento de núcleos. La segunda parte del capítulo aborda las estructuras VOS en las LSNs, para cuya formación se arguye que hay dos estrategias: batido de objeto o topicalización de SV (cf. Belletti 2004, Cardinaletti 2001b y Ordóñez 1997; 1998b). Con Ordóñez (1997; 1998b), se asume que el VOS del español se deriva mediante batido de objeto, se consideran las consecuencias para la asignación de Caso nominativo en términos de minimidad y, finalmente, se recupera un análisis basado en la equidistancia de Chomsky (1993a).El Capítulo IV se dedica a la (sub-)extracción. En él se sostiene que una aproximación a las islas en términos estructurales (cf. Chomsky 1986a; 2004; en preparación) no es totalmente satisfactorio, siendo más adecuado tratar este fenómeno como una consecuencia de los efectos de paralización que surgen de la interacción entre el Caso y la concordancia (cf. Boeckx 2003a). / The goal of this dissertation is to explore Chomsky's Phase Theory (see Chomsky 2000; 2001; 2004; 2005; 2007; to appear) and its connections with parametric variation. The study considers the hypothesis that syntactic computation operates through small derivational leaps (the phases), paying special attention to the Case/agreement systems, and the role of overt morphology for linguistic variation. Chapter I presents the general guidelines of the framework that shall be assumed throughout the dissertation (the so-called Minimalist Program; see Chomsky 1993a through the present), concentrating on both the core computational operations (Merge and Agree) and the cyclic nature of the system.Chapter II is devoted to the notion of phase, whose identification criteria are considered at length. I adopt Pesetsky & Torrego's (2001) hypothesis that what is normally referred to as 'Case' is actually an uninterpretable 'aspect'/'tense' feature on D heads, and entertain the idea (present in Chomsky's system, as well as in Pesetsky & Torrego's) that uninterpretable morphology can be used for syntactic processes only within a short, phase-based, time span. In line with Uriagereka (1999b), I further propose that Null Subject Languages (NSLs) resort to an additional process of Transfer that is responsible for a macro-parameter triggered by verb movement, which I call Phase Sliding. Plausibly, this mechanism explains the particular status of subjects in NSLs (e.g., subject extraction, that-deletion, obligatory inversion, etc.) and additional empirical facts, previously framed in terms of bounding nodes, L-marking, government, or the A/A-bar distinction.In chapter III, attention is shifted to a micro-parameter related to the edge of phase heads (their Left Periphery). I argue for a parametric cut that concerns what Uriagereka (1995a; 1995b; 2002b) calls "FP," a projection related to discourse-oriented semantics (formerly, "surface interpretation"). I claim that the 'hot' syntactic activity of Uriagereka's F is not limited to the CP layer, but is actually found in the v*P too, in a parallel fashion (actually, as predicted by Uriagereka 2002b, the pattern extends to nominal environments): those languages with a more active CP, have a more active v*P. I relate this peripheral boost to overt morphology, a traditional idea that is sharpened and connected to tense morphology and head movement. The second part of the chapter focuses on VOS structures in NSLs, for which I argue that there are two strategies: object scrambling and VP topicalization (see Belletti 2004, Cardinaletti 2001b, and Ordóñez 1997; 1998b). With Ordóñez (1997; 1998b), I take Spanish VOS to be derived through object scrambling, consider its consequences for nominative Case assignment in minimality terms, and eventually revamp an equidistance-based analysis, in the sense of Chomsky (1993a).Chapter IV is dedicated to (sub-)extraction. I argue that islandhood cannot be entirely accounted for in structural terms (see Chomsky 1986a; 2004; to appear), being better understood if related to freezing effects that emerge from the interaction between Case and agreement (see Boeckx 2003a).

The beginning of the twentieth century saw a boom economy for the coal and coke industry. Located in the Crowsnest Pass of Alberta, the coal mining town of Lille existed for about a decade in the early twentieth century, from approximately 1901-1912. Towns such as this are ephemeral in nature, and as such, offer interesting opportunities to investigate a very definite period in time. Lille can provide a unique snapshot of life in the Canadian Rockies at the beginning of the last century. <p>Two archaeological investigations were carried out upon this time slice in 1979 and early 1981. Further analysis of artifactual material was undertaken in order to reconstruct life in a company town. The present study combines the two archaeological assemblages for study. It focuses upon material remains found at the town site, as well as spatial relationships between different residences and parts of the business district. Lille is discussed using a framework of corporate paternalism as it was a company town and it is hypothesized that there are stratified residential areas based upon occupational status. The degree to which inhabitants followed this ascribed status is investigated through their material remains. Additional factors affecting the town and its residents, such as company policy, union strikes and the coal market will be discussed. This examination of Lille provides an opportunity to explore daily life in remote mining communities in the early 20th century.

In this essay we describe the characteristics of the internet language used by senior-level school pupils. Our primary question formulation is: ”Which are the significant features of the youth’s internet language on a morphological, lexical, syntactical and orthographical level?” In order to answer this question we have analyzed 45 text ex-amples which is brought from two different internet forums, Bilddagboken.se and Un-gdomar.se, forums which are widely used by youths. The analysis has been made on a morphological, lexical, orthographical and syntactical level. We have also another question formulation which is: “How is emoticons used in youth’s internet conversa-tions?” Thereby we also study the use of emoticons in the examples we have analyzed.Our conclusion in this essay is that the youth’s internet language is a language that in many cases should be seen as an own language; it should be seen as an entirely new and unique way of communication. Therefore it should not be placed in any of the cat-egories you use to talk about when it comes to linguistic studies.

I uppsatsen studeras stilen i Stig Claessons romaner Vem älskar Yngve Frej, På palmblad och rosor samt Henrietta ska du också glömma. Syftet är undersöka syntax, disposition och innehållsaspekter som motiv, symboler och tema och jämföra resultatet med tidigare forskning. I uppsatsen studeras också romanernas textbindning. Undersökningen visar att Claesson använder sig av repetition avseende både syntax, motiv och innehåll vilket skapar en väl sammanhållen, långsamt framskridande och rytmisk text med betydelseglidningar.

Proefschrift--Letteren--Nijmegen--Radboud Universiteit, 2005. / Bibliogr. p. 209-223.

As Haegeman and Zanuttini (1996:117) discuss, when two negative elements are present in a specific syntactic domain, two possible situations may arise: "(i) the two negative elements may cancel each other out, or (ii) the two elements may contribute, together, one single instance of negation". The former 'negation cancellation' is referred to as Double Negation and can be exemplified in the standard English sentence 'I didn't say nothing', meaning 'I said something'. In many languages, traditionally known as Negative Concord languages, we can find the second scenario, where two or more negative elements can co-occur in the same sentence without applying the 'negation cancellation' rule. The most common example of the Negative Concord phenomenon consists of a sentential negation (NEG) co-occurring with a negative word. This is shown in Spanish examples such as "Juan no llamó a nadie" (literally: 'Juan didn't call nobody') meaning 'John didn't call anybody'. Another less common type of exception occurs when two sentential negations (NEG+NEG) are phonologically realized in the same sentence. This phenomenon is traditionally known as Discontinuous Negation. The following example is from Bukusu (Bell, 2004): Peter SEalaba akula sitabu TA 'Peter will NOT be buying a book (NOT)'. The language I examined in this dissertation, Vernacular Brazilian Portuguese, can combine both types of Negative Concord cases in the same sentence, as we see in the example "Não ligou ninguém não (literally: 'Nobody didn't call not') meaning 'Nobody called'". Another unique characteristic of this variety that distinguishes it from the rest of the Romance languages is the optional deletion of the preverbal NEG. Though the post- verbal negative words require a preverbal negation, working as their licensor, the use of the post-sentential NEG makes the example "Ligou ningum não 'Nobody called'" grammatically correct. The main purpose of my dissertation is to present a different approach to what has been traditionally seen as the Negative Concord and Discontinuous Negation. These two complex negation phenomena stem from the same syntactic source, as they are two versions of the same syntactic derivation. Based on data from Vernacular Brazilian Portuguese, I demonstrate that there is no "concord" or "discontinuity" relationship between the negative elements in "Não ligou ninguém não", since there is only one negative item in the sentence: the pre-verbal NEG não. / text

This study examines the semantic import of the French preposition à 'at/to' in argument alternations. In French, some verbs can be followed by a direct object or by an indirect object introduced by the preposition à 'at/to' (e.g., parer/parer à 'to ward off/to guard against', satisfaire/satisfaire à 'to satisfy', toucher/toucher à 'to touch', etc.). Although the preposition à 'at/to' has been characterized in the literature as a meaningless grammatical element, and more specifically so in cases of argument alternations, this study shows that à 'at/to' is meaningful and that it contributes to the semantics of the indirect transitive constructions of the verbs under scrutiny. Couched in the Cognitive Grammar theoretical framework (Langacker 1987b, 1991), this study is based on the assumption that grammar is meaningful and that the meaning of grammatical items is more abstract than the meaning of lexical items. Consequently, two abstract meanings characterizing à 'at/to' are proposed to account for the semantic differences between the direct and indirect transitive constructions of the verbs analyzed in this study: the expression of an abstract goal and the expression of an abstract localization. For some verbs, the indirect transitive construction entails a notion of goal that is not expressed in the direct transitive construction. For other verbs, à 'at/to' expresses an abstract relation (i.e., an abstract localization) between the lexical semantics of the verb and the indirect object, which results in meaning differences between the direct and indirect transitive constructions based on the notion of affectedness. Following Langacker (1987a), I view transitivity as a transfer of energy and propose that the various levels of energy involved in an event correlate with the various levels of affectedness of the object. I argue that à 'at/to' signals a disruption of energy leading to a lower affectedness of the indirect object than that of the direct object (see also Beavers 2011). Finally, I show that, for the verb toucher 'to touch', the semantic import of à 'at/to' varies in relation to the various senses of the indirect transitive construction of the verb. / text

This paper will build upon the idea that informal settlements communities develop characteristic spatial morphologies as a response to outside forces. By understanding those forces and the resulting use of space, in particular public spaces, we can develop more appropriate urban design and planning interventions based in local realities. I begin by presenting the urban theories of Christopher Alexander and Bill Hillier, which provide analytical tools for understanding public space morphologies and the uses of public space. I then introduce Asef Bayat’s concept of quiet encroachment to more fully theorize the characteristics of public space as a response to the outside forces, in particular as an informal means of claiming space and rights to the city. Finally, I draw on this analytical and theoretical framework to analyze public space in the informal settlement of Jallah Town, in Monrovia, Liberia. I conclude by outlining how these analytical and theoretical tools can be used to further urban theory and international development and planning practice in informal settlements. / text

This thesis is a study of the syntax of the ti construction in Tunxi Hui, an understudied Hui dialect in the Sinitic family of languages. The aims of this these are three-fold: (i) to provide a sketch of the syntax of Tunxi Hui, and (ii) to explore the polyfunctionality of the ti morpheme and the syntax of the ti construction in Tunxi Hui, and (iii) to examine the north-south division of passive markers particularly with respect to languages in Anhui Province, and the type of passive marker the Tunxi Hui ti belongs to, as well as some properties of the ti passive construction. This thesis explores the polyfunctionality of the ti morpheme in Tunxi Hui, as a lexical verb ‘give’ and as a coverb. When ti is a lexical verb, the construction it appears in is a double object construction (DOC), and the linear order of the two objects has to be the recipient NP before the Theme NP. When ti is a coverb, it is often found in a serial verb construction (SVC) or a pivotal construction. As far as an SVC is concerned, the coverb ti can serve as a recipient marker, a benefactive marker or a locative marker. Otherwise, if the coveb ti occurs in a pivotal construction where the two or more verbs in the sentence do not share the same structural subject, it can serve as a permissive marker, a causative marker or a passive marker. With respect to passive markers, we first give an overview of the types of passives markers in Sinitic languages. Aside from the bei passives, we also have the zhuo ‘attach’ passives, the causative passives and the ‘give’-passives. We propose a revision of Hashimoto’s (1988) north-south division of passive markers, i.e. the causative passives versus the ‘give’-passives, particularly with respect to languages of Anhui Province. We find that the passive marker ti in Tunxi Hui belongs to the give type of passives. The ti passive construction in Tunxi Hui is characterized by the obligatory occurrence of an agent phrase and the semantic implication of adversity. It is hoped that this study can contribute to the understanding of the syntax of the ti construction in Tunxi Hui, and can provide useful authentic data of an understudied language for further linguistic analyses. / published_or_final_version / Linguistics / Master / Master of Philosophy