The Steep Spectrum Quasar PG1404+226 with ASCA, HST and ROSAT

(abridged) We present and discuss our observations of the NL quasar PG1404+226 with ASCA and HST, and a re-analysis of our earlier observations with ROSAT. The soft X-ray spectrum is very steep and displays an absorption feature (edge or line at ~1.1 keV). We have applied a variety of models to the ASCA and ROSAT spectra without finding a completely satisfactory fit, and the identification of the edge remains uncertain. A satisfactory fit of the ASCA spectrum assuming that the edge is produced by highly ionized iron (using the code absori in XSPEC) is obtained with an overabundance of iron by a factor > 25 compared to solar, a suggestion supported by the extremely high equivalent width of the Fe K_alpha line at 6.4 keV. A warm absorber model fitting the absorption feature with NeVII-NeX edges and assuming a peculiar oxygen/neon abundance ratio is consistent with the ROSAT data but not the ASCA data. Finally, it is also possible that the observed edge is caused by a OVIII or OVII edge or line, blueshifted by z_abs=0.2 to 0.5 depending on the specific identification, as has been suggested previously for 2 other NL quasars, but there are no other features in the UV and X-ray spectra in support of this suggestion. Two systems of UV absorption lines, one nearly at rest in the source frame, the other blueshifted by ~1900 km/s are identified in the HST/FOS spectra. Photoionization models indicate that the UV absorption and the ~1 keV absorption are probably caused by absorbers with different physical conditions. PG1404+226 is one more case of AGN where both UV and X-ray absorption features are detected, thereby increasing further the significance of the previously noted statistical association of the two types of absorbers.Comment: 11 pages, A&A in pres

Introduction to the issue

Non peer reviewe

Actionality and aspect in Southern Ndebele and Xhosa, two Nguni languages of South Africa

This paper presents some key findings of studies of actionality and the verbal grammar–lexicon interface in two Nguni Bantu languages of South Africa, Xhosa and Southern Ndebele. We describe interactions between grammatical tense marking (and other sentential bounding elements) and lexical verb types, arguing for the salience of inchoative verbs, which lexically encode a resultant state, and, in particular, a sub-class of inchoative verbs, two-phase verbs, which encode both a resultant state and the “coming-to-be” phase leading up to that state. We further discuss other important features of actional classes in Xhosa and Southern Ndebele, including topics such as the role of participant structure and the relative importance of cross-linguistically prominent distinctions such as that between Vendlerian activities and accomplishments. Although differences between Xhosa and Southern Ndebele are evident both in the behaviour of individual tense-aspect forms and in the interpretive possibilities of specific verbs, the general patterns are quite similar. This similarity suggests that the patterns are likely to extend to other Nguni languages, as well, and that cross-linguistic comparison of particular lexical items across these languages are both feasible and likely to bear fruit.Peer reviewe

Towards a fieldwork methodology for eliciting distinctions in lexical aspect in Bantu

Verbal lexical aspectual structure is a domain in which infinite meaning possibilities meet a closed set of grammatical categories. It is therefore a fruitful area for investigations of subtle cross-linguistic semantic differences, as well as of contact-induced semantic change. Bantu lexical aspectual systems typically include "complex" lexicalizations denoting both a coming-to-be phase and a resultant state (e.g. the same verb in different frame can encode both 'get angry' and 'be angry'). At least some Bantu lexical aspectual types are, therefore, difficult to account for using traditional classifications (e.g. Vendler 1957), and the tests frequently used to arrive at classifications may also not be applicable. In this paper, we describe our pilot study of lexical aspect in isiNdebele, a Bantu language of South Africa, and our comparative with a related South African language, Sindebele. We describe some of the tests we used, and suggest general guidelines for developing and applying tests of lexical aspect within and across languages. We also describe and illustrate the semi-structured interview process we used, showing that hybrid elicitation/ethnographic discussions are helpful in developing and appropriately applying tests for lexical aspect.Peer reviewe

Introduction : the role of the lexicon in actionality

Actionality (also referred to by labels such as "lexical aspect" or "aktionsart") is the semantic dimension that encodes the constituent phases and boundaries of situations. Despite its central role in aspectual interpretation, careful language-specific descriptions and typological surveys of actional systems have been rare thus far. In this introduction, we describe the steps that lead to the compilation of the present special issue. We discuss several theoretical and methodological challenges that both field linguists and typologists face when investigating actional systems in the languages of the world and we point out some of the important insights to be gained from such endeavors. We then proceed to give an overview of the individual and varied contributions that make up this issue.Non peer reviewe