Classroom:NTNU, LING1113 (2009) - Motion and Space
Contents
Definitions
First of we will define a number of notions of or related to space, deixis and motion. These notions will later on be used in trying to determine the exact semantical content of a set of norwegian (and a few danish) prepositions.
Spatial concepts
Spatial concepts are in essence relations between two or more instances. Whenever you make a statment about the location of an object, you state the location relative to another object. While you can claim that an object is inside another object, you cannot claim that it is inside, but not of another object. The conception of space incorporated in language is a naive one, proved wrong by modern physics, yet still how it is perceived by humans.
The object whose location you make a statement about is called Theme, while the other object, which you compare the location of the located object with, is called Ground.
Locations
Topological locations
Topological locations are geometric properties of an object that are invariant under change of the object. Even if we change the size or shape of a box, or change our position relative to it, the interior of the box will still be inside the box. This is opposed to projective locations, are relative to the viewpoint of the viewer.
-The located object is in contact with the reference object, or conceptually projected as sharing the same ideal space.
-The located object is included or contained in the reference object.
-The located object is external to the reference object.
Projective locations
With projective locations, the value and interpretation varies depending on the frame of reference, or vantage point against which the relationship is judged. Thus the relationship of projective locations vary according to the viewpoint of the viewer, or whether the located object is perceived in relation to the viewer or the reference object.
-The located object is located in the area below the reference object, where below is defined in terms of the observer's point of view, or as defined by the reference object itself.
-The located object is located in front of the reference object. In front of is defined in terms of the observer's point of view, or as defined by the reference object itself.
-The located object is located over the reference object. Over is defined in terms of the observer's point of view, or as defined by the reference object itself.
-The located object occupies the space projected behind the reference object. Posteriority is in Norwegian (and Danish) defined in terms of the observer's point of view in relation to the reference object, or in terms of the relation to the reference object itself.
-The located object is located beside the reference object. Beside is defined in terms of the observer's point of view, or as defined by the reference object itself.
Deixis
Ground
- The Ground is the location that the deictic expression is anchored to. The Ground is most often identical to the location of one of the interlocutors.
Remoteness
- Remoteness is defined as the relative distance between the Ground and the Theme. Languages may encode any number of degrees of remoteness.
- There are two directions: movement away from the reference point, and movement towards the reference point.
Events
Motion
Motion can be described as dynamic movement through space. Motion entails the displacement of some entity, or conceptually relevant positional change. Motion is usually associated with actives, seeing that more often than not motion entails some kind of action, though certain motions can be described as states.
- The entity that is displaced by the predicate.
- The area from which the theme moves.
- The area to which theme intends to move.
- The surroundings in which the motion events take place.
- Path
- The trajectory of the theme.
- How motion events are carried out. The basic distinction is between vehicular and non-vehicular transport.
- How motion events are performed in terms of speed and intensity.
- The relationship between a movement and what causes the movement.
Prepositions
bak
'Bak' indicates that the located object has a relationship of posteriority to the reference object.
blant
'Blant' indicates that the located object has a relationship of laterality to more than two reference objects, which do not coincide
fra
Fra is a deictic relation of the located objects movement away from the reference object
gjennom
This is a very complex preposition, as it actually denotes a path of three states:
(- The located object has a path towards the reference object)
- The located object has a relationship of interiority to the reference object, and is in motion
(- The located object has a path away from the reference object)
The first and third stage is not obligatory, but are implicated, because this movement is expected to be intended by the located object even if it is not actually part of the movement described
hos
The located object has a close proximity to the reference object, yet always exterior to it, and never coinciding
i
'i' indicates that the located object has a relationship of interiority to the reference object, but this can be both a total or a partial interiority.
innenfor
The located object has a relationship of interiority to the reference object, which is an enclosed space. 'Innenfor' does not have any other locational meanings.
inntil
The located object is coinciding with the reference object, and has a relationship of laterality to it
mellom
The located object has a relationship of laterality to two reference points, who do not have a relationship of laterality to each other
mot
1. 'Mot' indicates that the located object has a relationship of coincidence to the reference object. That is if the located object rests against the reference object.
2. It may also indicate that the located object is moving towards the reference object.
omkring
The located object has a relationship of exteriority to the reference object.
ovenfor
The preposition ovenfor is used to indicate that the relation between the located object and the reference object is one of superiority, but not of coincidence.
In simpler terms: Object1 is ovenfor another object if it is located over that object - that is higher than it and in the space above it - but not if Object1 is touching the other object.
overfor
The located object and reference object are anterior to each other
på
'På' in its most common form, though the matter is far more complicated than this, indicates that the located object has a relationship of superiority to the reference object, as well as coinciding with it.
rundt
The located object has a relationship of exteriority to the reference object.
til
The located object is not close to the reference object, but moves towards it.
under
'Under' indicates that the located object has a relationship of inferiority to the reference object.
Motion Verbs
In this wiki we define Motion Verbs as the verbs - apearing alone or in a complex - as verbs denoting movement. This might be movement from A to B, that is locomotion, or it might be movement inside the same scene, that is single motion. As mentioned above, some motion verbs might be part of a complex and thus denoting the movement in cooperation with a preposition.
In Norwegian it is often so that is you have a motion verb with a prepositon, the complex is denotiong locomotion. If you have a motion verb without a preposition, the verb can denote either locomotion or single motion; that is to say, it is not specified whether single motion or locomotion is denoted, and the context has to help us deciding the location(s) of the movement.
Some motion verbs indicate that a path -abstract or concrete- is covered when the action denoted by the verb is carried out. Some prototypes of motion verbs implying a path are 'go' and 'run'. Note that the path is not necessarily explicitly mentioned in the predication sentence indicating that a path is covered; the path is often implied and understood as being present by virtue of the speaker's and hearer's knowledge of the concept denoted by the respective verb.
It might also be the case that there is a goal of the movement denoted by the verb. Again, this goal might not be explicitly uttered; the pressense of a goal is understood as implied in the concept expressed by the verb.
To see more on motion in general, please see the chapter on motion.
Gå
"Gå" encodes motion by the use of feet in a normal manner.
Springe/løpe
The synonymous motion verbs "springe" and "løpe" encode motion by the use of feet, in a manner of high speed.
Dra/fare
"Dra" and "Fare" are synonymous motion verbs that encode motion of the theme away from the source.
Stikke
This verb usually encodes movement away from a source, often only for a short period of time or swiftly
Rømme
Encodes movement away from a source, either quickly or from a place from which movement is restricted, or both. It almost always implies the presence of some sentient entity that would try to hinder the theme's movement.
Komme
"Komme" is a motion verb which encodes motion of the theme towards the goal.
Svømme
"Svømme" encodes motion through a liquid ground, and that the theme is completely or almost completely submerged in the liquid through which the movement takes place.
Fly
Fly encodes motion through the ground air, without contact with the earth, usually by aerodynamic means.
Kjøre
"Kjøre" encodes motion with vehicular conveyance.
Sykle
"Sykle" encodes motion by use of bicycle as medium of conveyance.
Ramle
Ramle encodes non-voluntary motion through the ground air.
Falle
The motion verb falle encodes involuntary motion downwards through the ground air.
Synke
Encodes gradual downwards involuntary movement through a ground
Stige
Encodes gradually upwards movement.