
The Semantics of Case
Olga Kagan(Author)
Cambridge University Press
Published on 16. April 2020
Book
Hardback
304 pages
978-1-108-41642-9 (ISBN)
Description
The phenomenon of case has long been a central topic of study in linguistics. While the majority of the literature so far has been on the syntax of case, semantics also has a crucial role to play in how case operates. This book investigates the relationship between semantics and case-marking in the languages of the world, exploring a range of phenomena in which case-assignment is affected by (or affects) meaning. By bringing together data from a wide range of languages, representing different language families, a cross-linguistic picture emerges of the correlation between case and meaning. Different approaches to the phenomena are considered, including both syntactic and semantic analyses, and the question is raised as to whether case can be treated as meaningful, ultimately helping us shed light on the broader connections between grammar and meaning and, moreover, grammar and the human cognition.
Reviews / Votes
'Olga Kagan's The Semantics of Case is a welcome addition to the literature on how case marking evokes meaning in human languages. Drawing on a wealth of insightful examples and displaying an impressive command of diverse theoretical approaches, the book provides a comprehensive survey of case semantics from both the structural/generative and functional/cognitive traditions in linguistics.' Michael B. Smith, Oakland University, Michigan 'The book succeeds in giving a manageable, but in-depth and critical overview of the discussion about case-assignment and its interrelations with meaning ... excellent quality of this book.' Francesca Dell'Oro , LINGUIST ListMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises; 11 Tables, black and white; 3 Line drawings, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 165 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
454 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-108-41642-9 (9781108416429)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Olga Kagan
The Semantics of Case
Book
09/2022
Cambridge University Press
€40.30
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Person
Olga Kagan is based at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. She is the author of the books Semantics of Genitive Objects in Russian (2012) and Scalarity in the Verbal Domain (2015).
Content
1. Introduction; 2. Dative case; 3. Spatial cases; 4. Case and aspect; 5. Differential object marking; 6. The genitive/accusative alternation in Balto-Slavic; 7. Predicate case; 8. Generalizations and conclusions.