(Untitled)

[silmerin]

Questions I Have About Syntax

1. What is a theta role? Seriously, I don't get it at all.
2. What is the difference between theta roles and thematic roles?
3. What is the relationship between theta roles and thematic roles?
4. Why are theta roles called theta roles?
5. What, exactly, is an argument? That is, what sort of THING is it

Comments

[euruaina]

::blink, blink:: Wait wut?

Don't feel too bad as I have absolutely no clue as to what most of this even means, other than it's part of your Syntax class. ::hugs:: I hope things get cleared up/you start understanding better/some person more awesome than I can help & explain things for you. <3

(appropriate icon is appropriate)

[silmerin]

I mean, you're not *supposed* to know what they mean. I, on the other hand, have been taking a class on the subject for the last couple months.

Appropriate icon is indeed appropriate. :P

[euruaina]

Aww, I'm sure you'll get it. How did class go today?

[silmerin]

Better than I thought it would! I think I pretty much followed it. It was helpful that he only mentioned the various confusing theories/principles (theta criterion, x-bar theory, wtf) a couple times and only sort of tangentially. Today's topic was pretty understandable, and I think I could actually explain (far more simplistically) what I was taught. Which is really, really nice.

Not a whole lot closer to understanding the rest of the things, however.