Theta Roles and the Lexicon

Question 1

Selectional Restrictions

Answer 1

Semantic restrictions on arguments

Question 2

Thematic Relations

Answer 2

Semantic relations between a predicate and an argument - used as a means of encoding selectional restrictions.

Question 3

Agent

Answer 3

The doer of an action (under some definitions must be capable of volition).

Question 4

Experiencer

Answer 4

The argument that perceives or experiences an event or state.

Question 5

Theme

Answer 5

The element that is perceived, experienced or undergoing the action or change of state

Question 6

Goal

Answer 6

The end point of movement.

Question 7

Recipient

Answer 7

A special kind of goal, found with verbs of possession

Question 8

Source

Answer 8

The starting point of a movement.

Question 9

Location

Answer 9

The place an action or state occurs.

Question 10

Instrument

Answer 10

A tool with which an action is performed.

Question 11

Beneficiary

Answer 11

The entity for whose benefit the action is performed.

Question 12

Proposition

Answer 12

The thematic relation assigned to clauses.

Question 13

Theta Role

Answer 13

A bundle of thematic relations associated with a particular argument (DPs or CPs).

Question 14

Theta Grid

Answer 14

The schematic representation of the argument structure of a predicate, where the theta roles are listed.

Question 15

External Theta Role

Answer 15

The theta role associated with subject DPs or CPs/

Question 16

Internal Theta Role

Answer 16

The theta role associated with objects or indirect objects.

Question 17

The Theta Criterion

Answer 17

a) Each argument is assigned one and only one theta role.
b) Each theta role is assigned to one and only one argument.

Question 18

Lexical Item

Answer 18

Another way of saying “word.” A lexical item is an entry in the mental dictionary.

Question 19

The Projection Principle

Answer 19

Lexical information (like theta roles) is syntactically represented at all levels.

Question 20

Expletive (or Pleonastic) Pronouns

Answer 20

A pronoun (usually it or there) without a theta role. Usually found in subject position

Question 21

Extended Projection Principle (EPP)

Answer 21

All clauses must have subjects. Lexical information is syntactically represented.

Question 22

Expletive Insertion

Answer 22

Insert an expletive pronoun into the specifier of TP.

Question 23

The Lexicon

Answer 23

The mental dicitonary or list of words. Contains all irregular and memorized information about language, including the argument structure (theta grid) of predicates.

Question 24

The Computational Component

Answer 24

The combinatorial, rule-based, part of the mind. Where the rules and filters are found.