Lexical perspectives on transitivity and ergativity : causative constructions in English / Maarten Lemmens.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lemmens, Maarten.

Series:

Amsterdam studies in the theory and history of linguistic science. Current issues in linguistic theory ; Series IV, v. 166.

Amsterdam studies in the theory and history of linguistic science. Series IV, Current issues in linguistic theory, 0304-0763 ; v. 166

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Grammar, Comparative and general--Verb.

Grammar, Comparative and general.

Causative (Linguistics).

Semantics.

English language--Transitivity.

English language.

English language--Ergative constructions.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (280 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Amsterdam ; Philadephia : J. Benjamins, c1998.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Fusing insights from cognitive grammar, systemic-functional grammar and Government & Binding, the present work elaborates and refines Davidse's view that the English grammar of lexical causatives is governed by the transitive and ergative paradigms, two distinct models of causation (Davidse 1991, 1992). However, on the basis of extensive synchronic and diachronic data on verbs of killing (e.g. kill, execute, choke or drown), it is shown that 'transitivity' and 'ergativity' are not absolute but prototypical characteristics of verbs which may be overruled by the semantics of the co

Contents:

LEXICAL PERSPECTIVES ONTRANSITIVITY AND ERGATIVITY CAUSATIVE CONSTRUCTIONS IN ENGLISH; Editorial page; Title page; Copyright page; ACKNOWLEDGMENTS; Table of CONTENTS; PART I. THEORETICAL PREMISES; CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION; 1.1 Constructional variation with causative verbs; 1.2 Structural organization of this book; 1.2.1 Part I: Theoretical Premises; 1.2.2 Part II: Case Studies; 1.3 Theoretical framework; 1.3.1 Cognitive Grammar; 1.3.2 Systemic Functional Grammar; 1.3.3 Generative and Relational Grammar; 1.4 Empirical methodology; 1.4.1 Advantages of corpus-based research

1.4.2 Corpora consultedCHAPTER 2. THE SEMANTICS OF CAUSATIVE CONSTRUCTIONS; 2.1 Analytical versus lexical causatives; 2.2 Transitive versus ergative lexical causatives; 2.2.1 Traditional form-based transitive/ergative typology; 2.2.2 Langacker's cognitive approach; 2.2.3 Levin's lexical-semantic approach; 2.2.4 Davidse's paradigmatic approach; 2.2.5 Present cognitive lexical-paradigmatic approach; CHAPTER 3. THE SEMANTICS OF CAUSATIVE VERBS; 3.1 The structure of lexical categories; 3.2 The structure of lexical fields; 3.3 Lexical versus constructional semantics; 3.4 Conclusions to Part I

PART II. CASE STUDIESCHAPTER 4. LEXICALLY DETERMINED FLEXIBILITY AND CONSTRAINTS; 4.1 Introduction; 4.2 A synchronic perspective on constructional constraints; 4.2.1 Defining the middle construction; 4.2.2 A lexical-paradigmatic view on the middle construction; 4.3 A diachronic perspective on constructional flexibility; 4.3.1 The ergativization of intransitives; 4.3.2 The ergativization of transitives; 4.3.3 Complex patterns of paradigm shifts; 4.4 Conclusions; CHAPTER 5. THE AGENT-CENTREDNESS OF THE TRANSITIVE PARADIGM; 5.1 The experiential basis of agentivity

5.2 Lexical blueprints for agentivity: the MURDER verbs5.2.1 Overview of the MURDER verbs; 5.2.2 Murder; 5.2.3 Assassinate; 5.2.4 Execute; 5.2.5 Lynch; 5.2.6 Slay; 5.2.7 Massacre; 5.2.8 Butcher and slaughter; 5.2.10 Causes and Agents; 5.3 Morphological blueprints for agentivity: agentive nominals; 5.3.1 The semantic network for -er; 5.3.2 A lexical-paradigmatic view on -er; 5.3.3 Summary; 5.4 Constructional blueprints for agentivity: the objectless transitive; 5.4.1 A lexical view on the objectless transitive; 5.4.2 A lexical-paradigmatic view on the objectless transitive; 5.5 Conclusions

CHAPTER 6. THE MEDIUM-CENTREDNESS OF THE ERGATIVE PARADIGM6.1 The experiential basis of ergativity; 6.2 Lexical and constructional convergence in Early Modern English; 6.3 Lexical and constructional differentiation in Contemporary English; 6.3.1 Overview of the SUFFOCATE verbs; 6.3.2 Suffocate; 6.3.3 Asphyxiate; 6.3.4 Smother, smoulder, and smore; 6.3.5 Drown; 6.3.6 Stifle; 6.3.7 Strangle and throttle; 6.3.8 Choke; 6.3.9 Summary; 6.4 Transitivity and force-dynamics: phrasal verbs; 6.4.1 Overview of constructional deviations; 6.4.2 Choke down; 6.4.3 Choke back; 6.4.4 Choke out; 6.4.5 Choke off

6.4.6 Choke up

Notes:

Revision of the author's thesis (doctoral).

Includes bibliographical references (p. [243-256]) and indexes.

ISBN:

1-283-31228-X

9786613312280

90-272-7566-1

OCLC:

768761901