A Bi-Polar Theory of Nominal and Clause Structure and Function

Two key dimensions of meaning that get grammatically encoded are referential meaning and relational meaning. In English, these two dimensions are typically encoded in distinct grammatical poles—a referential pole and a relational pole—with a specifier functioning as the locus of the referential pole and a head functioning as the locus of the relational pole. Specifiers and heads combine to form referring expressions. Lexical items and expressions functioning as modifiers are preferentially attracted to one pole or the other. One or more complements may be associated with relational lexical items. The grammatical functions specifier, head, modifier and complement are generally adequate to represent much of the basic structure and function of nominals and clauses