Semiotic and Possessive Models in Relational Clauses: Thinking with Grammar about Grammar

Abstract

In this article, I will investigate the semantic models construed by relational clauses, more specifically by intensive and possessive clauses. The approach followed will be the one pioneered by Halliday, viz. the coupling of form and meaning. On the formal side, the main methods used will involve lexical and grammatical selection restrictions and controlled reformulation. On the semantic side, there will be input from semiotics and grammatics. The case will be argued that intensive clauses construe the semiotic models of instantiation and realization, while possessive clauses construe models such as constituency and dependency.