The Causative/ Anti-causative ALternation in Kurdish (Sorani Dialect)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of English and Linguistics, Islamic Azad University of Sanandaj

2 University of Kurdistan

3 Tehran university

4 Department of English, Farhangian University, Sanandaj

Abstract

The causative/anti-causative alternation has engendered theoretical interest within studies of argument structure at the syntax-semantic interface. The two prominanet appraoches to the syntax of the alternation, that is detransivitation and causation, do not posit distinct lexical entries for the alternation. In other words, these approaches build on the idea that one of the two alternants is derived from the other one. The purpose of this articl; however, is to show, based on Kurdish data, that there is not a derivational two-way relationship between the alternants in the alternation. Rather, it argues that both alternants are derived from a neutral single lexical entry. In so doing, evidence will be drawn from the existence of morphological variations on these alternations, verb selections and restrictions, and the contribution of prepositional phrase in relation to external argument. It will also be argued that agentivity and causativity are introduced to the structure as different projections, with the passive projecting a voice projection, while the anti-causative does not so.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Iranian Dialects & Linguistics
Volume 4, Issue 2
February 2020
Pages 219-241

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History

  • Receive Date: 01 August 2019
  • Revise Date: 02 November 2019
  • Accept Date: 12 September 2020

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