Types of transitivity, intransitive objects, and untransitivity – and the logic of their structural designs
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Werner Abraham✝
Abstract
This discussion is on diathetic derivative relations between verbs and their distribution between the syntactic component and the lexicon. We investigate whether or not the lexicon of verbs can be based on derivative relations such that there is only one basic type of verb – let us assume, transitive verbs –, which lie at the base of all other verbs. The conclusion will be that, on the basis of a few cross-linguistic patterns, such a division of work can indeed be achieved. The main criterion to motivate essential differences is aspect (or Aktionsart as applied on German, which is not an aspect language in the Slavic sense) in terms of perfectivity vs. imperfectivity.
Abstract
This discussion is on diathetic derivative relations between verbs and their distribution between the syntactic component and the lexicon. We investigate whether or not the lexicon of verbs can be based on derivative relations such that there is only one basic type of verb – let us assume, transitive verbs –, which lie at the base of all other verbs. The conclusion will be that, on the basis of a few cross-linguistic patterns, such a division of work can indeed be achieved. The main criterion to motivate essential differences is aspect (or Aktionsart as applied on German, which is not an aspect language in the Slavic sense) in terms of perfectivity vs. imperfectivity.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- Trans-duction 1
-
Part I. Form and Meaning
- Types of transitivity, intransitive objects, and untransitivity – and the logic of their structural designs 15
- The interaction of transitivity features in the sinhala involitive 69
- Transitivity in Chinese experiencer object verbs 95
- Non-zero/non-zero alternations in differential object marking 119
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Part II. Acquisition and processing
- Children and transitivity 143
- Grammatical transitivity vs. interpretive distinctness 161
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Part III. Transitivity and diathesis
- The space between one and two 191
- Event-structure and individuation in impersonal passives 209
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Part IV. Crosslinguistic and crosscategorical considerations
- Lability and spontaneity 237
- Transitivity of deverbal nominals and aspectual modifiers of the verbal stem (evidence from Russian) 257
- Individuation and semantic role interpretation in the adpositional domain 279
- Language index 301
- Subject index 303
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- Trans-duction 1
-
Part I. Form and Meaning
- Types of transitivity, intransitive objects, and untransitivity – and the logic of their structural designs 15
- The interaction of transitivity features in the sinhala involitive 69
- Transitivity in Chinese experiencer object verbs 95
- Non-zero/non-zero alternations in differential object marking 119
-
Part II. Acquisition and processing
- Children and transitivity 143
- Grammatical transitivity vs. interpretive distinctness 161
-
Part III. Transitivity and diathesis
- The space between one and two 191
- Event-structure and individuation in impersonal passives 209
-
Part IV. Crosslinguistic and crosscategorical considerations
- Lability and spontaneity 237
- Transitivity of deverbal nominals and aspectual modifiers of the verbal stem (evidence from Russian) 257
- Individuation and semantic role interpretation in the adpositional domain 279
- Language index 301
- Subject index 303
