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Exploring the boundary between syntax and pragmatics: relevance and the binding of pronouns[*]

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 September 2008

Susan H. Foster-Cohen
Susan H. Foster-Cohen*
Affiliation:
Northern Arizona University
*
Address for correspondence: Department of English, Box 6032, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona 86011, USA.
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Abstract

This paper explores the interface between syntax and pragmatics, focusing on the binding of pronouns and the pragmatics of the paradigms used to test this aspect of syntactic knowledge. Reinhart's (1986) version of Binding Theory (which accords a specific role to pragmatics in processes of pronoun resolution) and Sperber & Wilson's (1986) Theory of Relevance are used to examine the syntax and pragmatics of pronoun interpretation. A set of predictions based on Relevance Theory are evaluated against published results of tests of Binding Theory. The paper concludes that Relevance Theory provides a means of understanding constraints on testing syntactic knowledge and argues that pragmatic factors must be systematically controlled in any evaluation of syntactic knowledge.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Child Language , Volume 21 , Issue 1 , February 1994 , pp. 237 - 255
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

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Footnotes

[*]

I have profited greatly from discussions with Matthew Rispoli, Nina Hyams, Sharon Sabsay and Sharon Klein during the evolution of several of the ideas that appear in this paper. Particular thanks go to Matthew Rispoli for detailed comments on earlier drafts.

References

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