The directive/locative alternation in Lithuanian and elsewhere
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Natalia M. Zaika
Abstract
This article analyzes the directive/locative argument alternation, both in Baltic and Slavic languages and cross-linguistically. The alternation in question appears to be connected to a number of parameters (focus, deixis, presence or absence of extra force, informational structure, voice, etc.), which tend to trigger either locative or directive coding of NPs/PPs. Another factor contributing to the choice of directive or locative NPs/PPs is the semantic group of the verb. Thus, in Lithuanian and neighbouring languages (Latvian, Russian, Belarusian, Polish) the alternating verbs form a hierarchy, where directed motion verbs tend to be coded most directionally, and verbs of sinking and burying more locationally, with other groups occupying intermediate positions. The possibility of the directive/locative argument alternation also depends on what the location is, with in and on allowing alternation in most languages of the area under consideration, while in front of, over and between allow the alternation only in Czech and Polish. Finally, some minor differences concerning several alternating semantic groups (‘get together’, ‘get stuck in’, ‘lock up’) in Baltic and Slavic languages are analyzed.
Abstract
This article analyzes the directive/locative argument alternation, both in Baltic and Slavic languages and cross-linguistically. The alternation in question appears to be connected to a number of parameters (focus, deixis, presence or absence of extra force, informational structure, voice, etc.), which tend to trigger either locative or directive coding of NPs/PPs. Another factor contributing to the choice of directive or locative NPs/PPs is the semantic group of the verb. Thus, in Lithuanian and neighbouring languages (Latvian, Russian, Belarusian, Polish) the alternating verbs form a hierarchy, where directed motion verbs tend to be coded most directionally, and verbs of sinking and burying more locationally, with other groups occupying intermediate positions. The possibility of the directive/locative argument alternation also depends on what the location is, with in and on allowing alternation in most languages of the area under consideration, while in front of, over and between allow the alternation only in Czech and Polish. Finally, some minor differences concerning several alternating semantic groups (‘get together’, ‘get stuck in’, ‘lock up’) in Baltic and Slavic languages are analyzed.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- Introduction 1
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Case marking and case alternations
- Long-distance Genitive of Negation in Lithuanian 37
- Argument marking in Baltic and Slavonic pain-verb constructions 83
- Variable argument realization in Lithuanian impersonals 107
- The nominative case in Baltic in a typological perspective 137
- Differential Argument Marking with the Latvian debitive 199
- Contexts for the choice of genitive vs. instrumental in contemporary Lithuanian 259
- The directive/locative alternation in Lithuanian and elsewhere 333
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Extending argument structure
- Verbal prefixation and argument structure in Lithuanian 363
- Resultative secondary predicates in the Baltic languages 403
- On periphrastic causative constructions in Lithuanian and Latvian 427
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Nominalizations and their arugument structure
- Argument realization in Latvian action nominal constructions 461
- Lithuanian nominalizations and the case marking of their arguments 523
- Language index 551
- Name index 553
- Subject index 555
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- Introduction 1
-
Case marking and case alternations
- Long-distance Genitive of Negation in Lithuanian 37
- Argument marking in Baltic and Slavonic pain-verb constructions 83
- Variable argument realization in Lithuanian impersonals 107
- The nominative case in Baltic in a typological perspective 137
- Differential Argument Marking with the Latvian debitive 199
- Contexts for the choice of genitive vs. instrumental in contemporary Lithuanian 259
- The directive/locative alternation in Lithuanian and elsewhere 333
-
Extending argument structure
- Verbal prefixation and argument structure in Lithuanian 363
- Resultative secondary predicates in the Baltic languages 403
- On periphrastic causative constructions in Lithuanian and Latvian 427
-
Nominalizations and their arugument structure
- Argument realization in Latvian action nominal constructions 461
- Lithuanian nominalizations and the case marking of their arguments 523
- Language index 551
- Name index 553
- Subject index 555
