Workshop: Annotating grammatical constructions: issues, options, tutorials

When? June 26, 2017, 10 a.m ? 5 p.am

Where? Haus der Universität (“Wichelmann-Raum”), Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf

Invited guest: Michael Ellsworth (International Computer Science Institute, FrameNet, Berkeley)

Topics & aims:

Constructions are said to be pairings of form and meaning that can be both schematic (e.g. the ditransitive construction) or abstract (e.g. the predicate-subject construction). How can we determine the meaning(s) of constructions based on semantic annotations? The grammaticographic workshop brings together linguists who are facing the challenge of annotating grammatical constructions beyond frequency-related issues in quantitative corpus linguistics.

Methodologically, the workshop is based on preliminary work within the so-called FrameNet constructicon (e.g., Fillmore et al. 2012, for an overview: Ziem 2014). Important issues include, but are not limited to,

-Defining construction-related terminology

-Identifying construction elements, construction evoking elements, and triggers of constructions

-The “lumping-and-splitting” problem in grammaticography

-Modeling form and meaning of constructions and networks of constructions

-Determining the “depth” of the annotation

-Coping with discontinuous constructions.

Michael Ellsworth (ICSI, Berkeley) will join us as expert on the field of annotating both semantic frames and grammatical constructions. Although the major focus lies on practical issues, including hands-on sessions, there will be the opportunity of discussing issues arising from analyses of specific constructions addressed by the participants.

If you are interested in participating in the one-day workshop, please send an email not later than May 20th to ziem@phil.hhu.de.

Training materials as well as coffee, drinks, and snacks will be provided.

The participation fee is 60 Euro.

Mentioned literature:
Fillmore, Charles J., Russell Lee-Goldman und Russell Rhomieux (2012): The FrameNet-Constructicon. ? In: Boas, Hans, C. und Ivan Sag (eds.): Sign-based Construction Grammar. Stanford: CSLI Publications, pp. 309-372.

Ziem, Alexander (2014): Von der Kasusgrammatik zum FrameNet: Frames, Konstruktionen und die Idee eines Konstruktikons. In: Ziem, Alexander und Alexander Lasch (eds.): Grammatik als Inventar von Konstruktionen? Sprachwissen im Fokus in der Konstruktionsgrammatik. Berlin/New York: de Gruyter, pp. 351-388.

Organizing Team:
Prof. Dr. Alexander Ziem
Johanna Flick
Anastasia Neumann