Semantic classifiers in Polish Sign Language (PJM) and integrated schematic events

Abstract The aim of this article is to propose a model of classifier predicates in Polish Sign Language (PJM). The model is couched within Cognitive Grammar, a theoretical framework created primarily by Ronald Langacker. We propose that classifiers are best described as expressions of integrated schematic events. Conceptually, they denote a nominal referent involved in some sort of action. The details of the action reside in the semantic specification associated with the form, especially the so-called elaboration sites (e-sites for short). When a classifier is used in a larger expression, some of the e-sites are elaborated by other elements of the expression resulting in a more detailed representation of the event. This analysis does justice to the intuition that in isolation, classifiers are primarily nominal in character, while in a context, they typically denote the referent involved in some sort of activity.