More than a copula
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Luis García Fernández
Abstract
This paper aims to provide an analysis of the construction consisting of the clitic se and the copula estar ‘beESTAR’ followed by an adjective (estarse + A) in Spanish. Combining the clitic with the copula triggers two changes in ‘estar + A’ predicates: first, it modifies the eventive structure and, as a consequence, a complex event is obtained that consists of an achievement followed by a result state; and second, it modifies the thematic role of the subject entity from theme to agent by increasing its degree of involvement in the event. This effect of the clitic is not limited to the copula estar ‘beESTAR’, but rather there is a parallel in other predicates with consumption verbs such as comer ‘to eat’ and movement verbs such as salir ‘to leave’.
Abstract
This paper aims to provide an analysis of the construction consisting of the clitic se and the copula estar ‘beESTAR’ followed by an adjective (estarse + A) in Spanish. Combining the clitic with the copula triggers two changes in ‘estar + A’ predicates: first, it modifies the eventive structure and, as a consequence, a complex event is obtained that consists of an achievement followed by a result state; and second, it modifies the thematic role of the subject entity from theme to agent by increasing its degree of involvement in the event. This effect of the clitic is not limited to the copula estar ‘beESTAR’, but rather there is a parallel in other predicates with consumption verbs such as comer ‘to eat’ and movement verbs such as salir ‘to leave’.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Ser and estar 1
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Ser and estar and aspect
- More than a copula 23
- Ser, estar and two different modifiers 51
- Sentences as predicates 85
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Ser and estar beyond aspect
- The inference of temporal persistence and the individual/stage level distinction 119
- Location and the estar/ser alternation 147
- What do Spanish copulas have in common with Tibetan evidentials? 173
- On word order in Spanish copular sentences 203
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The extension and loss of copulas
- Origins and development of adjectival passives in Spanish 239
- Eventive and stative passives and copula selection in Canadian and American Heritage Speaker Spanish 267
- The development and use of the Spanish copula with adjectives by Korean-speaking learners 293
- Index 325
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Ser and estar 1
-
Ser and estar and aspect
- More than a copula 23
- Ser, estar and two different modifiers 51
- Sentences as predicates 85
-
Ser and estar beyond aspect
- The inference of temporal persistence and the individual/stage level distinction 119
- Location and the estar/ser alternation 147
- What do Spanish copulas have in common with Tibetan evidentials? 173
- On word order in Spanish copular sentences 203
-
The extension and loss of copulas
- Origins and development of adjectival passives in Spanish 239
- Eventive and stative passives and copula selection in Canadian and American Heritage Speaker Spanish 267
- The development and use of the Spanish copula with adjectives by Korean-speaking learners 293
- Index 325
