Valency-Changing Operations

Question 1

Core argument

Answer 1

Required or semantically implied by verb

Question 2

Oblique argument

Answer 2

Not required, but can provide additional information

Question 3

What does the passive construction do?

Answer 3

can reduce valency of verb; demotes A (subject) argument (from core to oblique) and promotes P (object) argument to S (subject); turns transitive to intransitive
[I] ate the hamburger. –> [The hamburger] WAS EATEN (by [me]).

Question 4

What does the antipassive construction do?

Answer 4

can reduce valency of verb by demoting P argument
[The hunter] shot [the bear]. –> [The hunter] shot AT [the bear].

Question 5

What does the causative construction do?

Answer 5

Can increase valency of verb by introducing an A argument; existing A argument can be demoted to P (but remains core argument)
[You] eat. –> [I] make [you] eat.

Question 6

What does the applicative construction do?

Answer 6

Can increase the valency of a verb by introducing a P argument; existing P can be demoted to oblique
[Alex] gave [a pastry] TO [Pat].
[Alex] gave [Pat] [a pastry].

Question 7

What valency changing operation is happening here?
[I] brought [a sandwich] for [you].
[I] brought [you] [a sandwich].

Answer 7

Applicative because P argument is introduced (i dont really get it, seems more like antipassive but its from the slides)

Question 8

Matching!
A. Passive
B. Antipassive
C. Causative
D. Applicative

1. Demote the A
2. Introduce a new P
3. Demote the P
4. Introduce a new A

Answer 8

A1. Passive demotes the A
B3. Antipassive demotes the P
C4. Casuative introduces a new A
D2. Applicative introduces a new P