Copula (linguistics)

Copula ( copula; plural: copulae or copulas (Latin Band) ) is an expression of traditional logic and the traditional grammar, which in one - as it was traditionally - connects verdict today rather statement, the subject with the predicate ( copula - band). An almost classic role of the copula in the final figures of the syllogism. Denoting the subject with S, the predicate P and the copula with k, is calculated as the basic form S k P, in words: P S is awarded, P comes to S or S is P.

Examples ( copula in italics ):

• Socrates was a man.
• The car is blue.
• Mr. Meier is our chairman.

In other representations the copula is seen as part of the verbal or nominal predicate, for the above example " Socrates was a man " is hereafter " Socrates " subject, "was" copula, " a man," the predicate noun and " was a person," the nominal predicate: (S ( k Pn) ) = ( S P)

In the following formulations lack a direct word for the copula, although a subject, a predicate is awarded and the copula is naturally hidden in the formulation:

• His face turned red with rage.
• They never gave up.

The different " languages ​​" are once from linguistics, on the other hand of logic, formal logic (obsolete: Logistics ) examines methodology and philosophy of science. A central role is played by the copula also in the definition of teaching.

In the late philosophy of German philosopher of science Paul Lorenzen also symbolized by π Tatkopula is admitted doing. The sentence:

• Tilman carries with buckets of water into the house.

Therefore considered as elementary proposition, although he action verbs ( bears, more precisely, does carry ) includes.