The writers frequently produce texts in which content (information) relations present in the related clauses or text stretches is marked through shell nouns. Such texts are characterized with cohesiveness and information flow. Undoubtedly, such texts are academically advanced. However, the less experienced readers cannot easily pick how shell nouns help relate such clauses or text stretches in texts. This post has been composed for addressing such difficulties of the novice writers.
When we come across an expression, meanings emerge from both content and construal, i.e., the conceptualization of experience. In simple words, an expression’s meaning does not only emerge from its content but the way its content is construed is also important. Therefore, it is very important to understand what is conceptualization.
1. Conceptualization
Conceptualization is a cognitive process which helps form a mental representation of a concept which is beyond the reach of direct observation. However, it can be studied indirectly via language as there is a close relationship between linguistic and conceptual structure. In other words, linguistic meaning and conceptualization can be equated with each other. Further, linguistic structures stay as conventionalized conceptual units, i.e., grammatical and lexical items both contribute to the demonstration of the conceptualization. However, the meaning of lexical items and that of grammatical units require to be compatible so that they stay integrated and yield felicitous syntagmatic combinations. Furthermore, the speakers as conceptualizers should have the ability to conceive situation from different vantage points. These points provide the speaker with an additional perspective to know the way an event is conceptualized.
The role of conceptualization is to help form abstract ideas and principles about objects, events, or concepts at general level. This cognitive process is commonly employed in the context of research or in understanding situations. In short, this process is used to organize and understand information neutrally.
2. Construal
Construal is the way of interpreting and understanding concepts within a specific context whether these are present in the context of communication or experience. Actually, it is a mental capability of an individual to conceptualize a situation in alternate ways. This process is often liable to be influenced by perspectives, framing or communication requirements. For example, the individuals with different frame of minds can focus either on positive or negative aspects of the same event, action, etc. Thus, the same idea can be construed in various ways and these different ways of construal can lead to different interpretations and conclusions.
2.1 Cognitive Phenomena: Concept-formation, Reification and Hypostatization
When an experience is referred to by repeatedly using the same word, a firm association between the idea and the linguistic form occurs. This association results in the formation of a more or less stable concept or a cognitive category. Further, a certain noun can furnish the description of an abstract and complex piece of experience. In other words, it provides us with a conceptual encapsulation and the reification of this experience. Furthermore, hypostatization is an act of combining conceptual portioning and ascription of entity-hood generated by words.
3. The Hypostatizing Power of Nouns
No doubt all types of open-class content (lexical) words add their share to the formation of some kind of concept. However, the hypostatizing power of nouns has the strongest effect. This is so because, nouns are always ready to add their share to a conceptualization of what they stand for as a cover or shell. This characteristic of nouns promotes the illusion of reification. For example, the adjective tall evokes a property of things, which is a relational concept. On the other hand, the derived noun tallness appears to evoke an entity (thing).
4. Shell Nouns, Shell Content & Shell-Content Relation
On account of their characteristic of being context-dependent, shell nouns are always seen in relation to the information referred to by them. This information is known as shell content and the relation that exists between the shell nouns and their antecedents is known as shell-content relation.
4.1 Major Types of Links between Shell Nouns and Shell Content
In the examples given below, shell content (information) is in italics and shell nouns are in bold.
- We have to consider the fact that the intensity of hotness in summer is a major atmospheric change in this era.
- The problem is to safeguard the soft plants from extreme hotness in the desert area.
- Mr Shareef was labelling the activities of traders as unlawful.In my view, this accusation is not completely unjustified.
In example (a), the noun fact is related to that complement clause cataphorically. In (b), the noun problem is related to to-complement cataphorically, and in(c), the noun phrase this accusation is related to its antecedent anaphorically.
5. Constructions that are Important Regarding Construal
There are a number of constructions which are significant in relation to the construal of the concepts in academic communication (See 26. Anaphoric and Cataphoric Shell Nouns).
5.1 N + that-cl
In this construction, noun is followed by that complement. It is most frequently used in academic communication.
- In the today’s discussion, we consider the case that all the political parties are not democratic in themselves.
The noun case is identifiable as a shell noun as it encapsulates the essence of the proposition encoded in the that-clause. Further, that performs as a subordinate conjunction rather than a relative pronoun leading a relative clause.
5.2 N + to-inf
In this construction, noun is followed by infinitive. It is also used most frequently in academic communication.
- The mountain climber fell and broke his legs in an attempt to reach the top before evening.
The noun attempt can be recognized as a shell noun as this encapsulates the essence of the proposition expressed by to-infinitive clause.
5.3 N + be + that-cl
In this construction, noun is followed by be and that complement.
- The instant conclusion is that the religious population section follows the same trend as the whole society, indicating that the human nature dominates in every circle of society.
The noun conclusion is identifiable as a shell noun as this noun encapsulates the propositions encoded in the two that-clauses.
5.4 N + be + to-inf
In this construction, noun is followed by be + infinitive.
- The next step is to find out the conceptual structure in the text which provides the best path to understand the scope of the text.
The noun Step can be recognized as shell noun as this encapsulates the proposition expressed by to-infinitive clause.
5.5 N + of-ing
In this construction, noun is followed by of-ing.
- It is worth remembering that for the purpose of fostering good health, a healthy diet and proper rest are desirable.
The noun purpose can be recognized as shell noun as this encapsulates the proposition expressed by –ing clause that is present in of prepositional phrase.
5.6 N + of + adverb + ing
In this construction, noun is followed by of + adverb + ing. It is less frequently used in academic communication.
- The player’s example of very quietly practicing for a competition was worthy of praise.
In the following sections a number of concepts have been presented that can help the readers construe the meanings with their subtleties.
6. Introduction of Subtle Semantic Information
There are particularly, two elements i.e. complementizer that and determiner that have role in the introduction of subtle semantic information.
6.1 The Complementizer that
The complementizer that can be omitted from two constructions which are N + that-cl and N + Be + that-cl. On account of this omission, a subtle semantic information emerges from these constructions. When that is not there, the subordinate and the main clause are construed holistically, as a unitary entity. For example:
- The boss was angry you spoke loudly.
- The boss was angry that you spoke loudly.
6.2 Determiners
Determiners include markers of reference, definiteness, and deixis which precede the noun. They provide additional information about the vantage point, i.e., the source of the utterance act is backgrounded, defocalized or even deleted.
- The door was knocked at loudly.
- Her brother won a gold medal.
- Those flowers were so fresh.
- Many people desist from physical activity in daily life.
7. The Role of Assertive Shell Nouns in Presenting the Propositional Content in an Objective Way
Reporting of an utterance using an assertive shell noun have a tendency to present the propositional content in a depersonalized, i.e., objective way. When the utterance source is deleted, it becomes possible to present personal beliefs as pieces of factual information. Thus, an impression arises that many people share the claim (See 27. Illocutionary Shell Nouns). For example:
- Ashraf supported the claim that late rising in the morning destroys one’s health and professional performance both.
- He expressed his assertion that the Gulf Countries are committed to achieve the high level goals of financial progress.
In the examples given above, the dietic origin of the utterances goes together with the speakers in the current discourse situation. Thus, the propositional content is presented that is subjective and tentative.
8. Factivity/Truth in the Case of Verbs, Followed by That-Clause
When in the constructions detailed above, verbs, adjectives and nouns are followed by that clause, the importance of the component of ‘factivity/truth’ is notable. This element has been highlighted by various sources. Along with semantic feature, also exist the feature of suasiveness. Further, there is a cline between factuality and suasiveness in the semantics of verbs that take that-clauses. When there is a cline between factuality and suasiveness in the semantics of noun, some nouns (e.g., statement, report, indication, etc.) primarily convey factual information. Some other nouns (e.g., proposal, recommendation, suggestion, etc.) provide persuasive intent. Many other nouns fall in between these two ends. For example, “The captain’s claim that his team was highly trained…” (factual reporting) versus “The captain’s claim that his team was the best in the world was a bit exaggeratory…” (more persuasive).
In this post, the concepts like conceptualization, construal, cognitive phenomena and hypostatizing power of nouns have been elaborated. Further, the terms like shell nouns, shell content & shell-content relation have been explained. The role of determiners before shell nouns has also been made explicit. Finally, assertive shell nouns’ role in presenting the propositional content in an objective way has been highlighted. In essence, the understanding of these concepts, terms and relationships can enable learning writers to understand how text is produced or understood proficiently.
Sources Consulted:
- Croft and Cruse (2004)
- Kiparsky and Kiparsky (1970)
- Langacker (2008)
- Quirk et al. (1985)
- Schmid (1997)
- Ungerer & Schmid (1996)
- Vergaro (2015)
