TY - BOOK

T1 - Rationale Clauses and Related Constructions in German

AU - Frühauf, Felix

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - In this dissertation, I address the distribution and interpretation of um- and damit- clauses in German. I distinguish at least four types of constructions in which um- and (partially) damit-clauses can occur. Chapters 3 to 5 deal with the classic Rationale Clause construction (0.1). I introduce new data demonstrating that Rationale Clauses in German can depend not only on intentional actions but also on attitude expressions such as hope. I establish that a causal enabling dependency is part of the semantics of Rationale Clauses. I develop a semantic analysis based on current theories of attitude semantics. In doing so, I place the construction in the context of related attitude phenomena and discuss various implications of my analysis, such as for analyses of the subjunctive. I also, for the first time, establish the connection between certain configurations in damit-clauses and the phenomenon of subject obviation. (0.1) Susi Susi fährt drives nach to Frankreich, France um um die the Tour Tour de de France France anzusehen. to watch ‘Susi is travelling to France to watch the Tour de France.’ Chapter 6 deals with modal um-/damit-constructions, which have so far mainly been discussed in connection with anankastic conditionals (0.2). I problematize the equation of the Rationale Clause construction with the modal um-/damit-construction. I propose a minimal extension of the existing analyses that incorporates the enabling relation from the Rationale Clause. (0.2) Jonas Jonas muss must 5 5 Kilogramm kilogram abnehmen, decrease um um bei at der the Tour Tour de de France France teilnehmen participate zu to können. can ‘Jonas has to lose 5 kg to take part in the Tour de France.’ In chapter 7, I extend the scope of the modal analysis to adnominal um-clauses (0.3) and enough/too-constructions (0.4), assuming that both constructions are based on a modal foundation. The causal connection of the enabling relation also applies to these examples. (0.3) Fahrräder, bikes um um die the Berge mountains hochzufahren, to ride up sind are teuer. expensive ‘Bikes with which you can ride up the mountains are expensive.’ (0.4) Das the Fahrrad bike ist is leicht light genug/zu enough/too schwer, heavy um um damit with that die the Berge mountains hochzufahren to ride up ‘The bike is light enough/too heavy to ride up the mountains with it.’

AB - In this dissertation, I address the distribution and interpretation of um- and damit- clauses in German. I distinguish at least four types of constructions in which um- and (partially) damit-clauses can occur. Chapters 3 to 5 deal with the classic Rationale Clause construction (0.1). I introduce new data demonstrating that Rationale Clauses in German can depend not only on intentional actions but also on attitude expressions such as hope. I establish that a causal enabling dependency is part of the semantics of Rationale Clauses. I develop a semantic analysis based on current theories of attitude semantics. In doing so, I place the construction in the context of related attitude phenomena and discuss various implications of my analysis, such as for analyses of the subjunctive. I also, for the first time, establish the connection between certain configurations in damit-clauses and the phenomenon of subject obviation. (0.1) Susi Susi fährt drives nach to Frankreich, France um um die the Tour Tour de de France France anzusehen. to watch ‘Susi is travelling to France to watch the Tour de France.’ Chapter 6 deals with modal um-/damit-constructions, which have so far mainly been discussed in connection with anankastic conditionals (0.2). I problematize the equation of the Rationale Clause construction with the modal um-/damit-construction. I propose a minimal extension of the existing analyses that incorporates the enabling relation from the Rationale Clause. (0.2) Jonas Jonas muss must 5 5 Kilogramm kilogram abnehmen, decrease um um bei at der the Tour Tour de de France France teilnehmen participate zu to können. can ‘Jonas has to lose 5 kg to take part in the Tour de France.’ In chapter 7, I extend the scope of the modal analysis to adnominal um-clauses (0.3) and enough/too-constructions (0.4), assuming that both constructions are based on a modal foundation. The causal connection of the enabling relation also applies to these examples. (0.3) Fahrräder, bikes um um die the Berge mountains hochzufahren, to ride up sind are teuer. expensive ‘Bikes with which you can ride up the mountains are expensive.’ (0.4) Das the Fahrrad bike ist is leicht light genug/zu enough/too schwer, heavy um um damit with that die the Berge mountains hochzufahren to ride up ‘The bike is light enough/too heavy to ride up the mountains with it.’

M3 - Doctoral thesis

CY - Konstanz

ER -