Naslov
Cross-linguistic patterns of linking

Autori
Van Valin, Robert D.

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u zbornicima skupova, cjeloviti rad (in extenso), znanstveni

Izvornik
Proceedings of the Texas Linguistic Society conference on Argument Structure / Naknadno - : Naknadno, 2000, 112-135

Skup
Texas Linguistic Society conference on Argument Structure

Mjesto i datum
Austin (TX), Sjedinjene Američke Države, 05.03.1999. - 07.03.1999

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Pozvano predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
argument linking; lexical and syntactic aspects; accusative and ergative languages

Sažetak
This paper will present a number of cross-linguistic generalizations about argument linking framed within a conceptually based, rather than structurally based, theory of linking, Role and Reference Grammar [RRG] (Van Valin 1993, Van Valin & LaPolla 1997). It will be shown that there are a universal aspects of linking which are readily captured in this framework and that the language-specific variation is quite limited and falls within a narrow range of possibilities. The linking phenomena to be discussed in the paper include: voice alternations, direct vs. inverse verbs (e.g. German haben ‘have’ vs. gehren ‘belong to’) and applicative constructions in syntactically accusative and ergative languages. It will be argued that it is necessary to make a distinction between lexical and syntactic aspects of linking. The lexical phase of the linking is virtually universal; the only cross-linguistic variation involves (1) the role of animacy as a factor in linking and (2) whether a language allows variable undergoer selection (i.e. dative shift, applicatives) or not. The syntactic phase is the locus of the contrast between ergative, accusative and other syntactic systems. Properties of different voice constructions, e.g. Japanese ‘plain’ vs. adversative passives, will be shown to be a function of whether they are part of the lexical or the syntactic phase of the linking. It will also be shown that applicative constructions in syntactically ergative languages work the same way as their counterparts in syntactically accusative languages.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Filologija

POVEZANOST RADA