Voice and Inversion (Typological Studies in Language) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1556194218 ISBN 13: 9781556194214

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 1994

Synopsis

This collection aims first to establish a structure-independent, language-independent definition of pragmatic voice, and more specifically then a universal functional definition of “inverse”. The grammar and pragmatic function of the four major voice constructions — direct-active, inverse, passive, antipassive — are surveyed using narrative texts from 14 languages: Koyukon (Athabascan), Plains Cree (Algonquian), Chepang (Tibeto-Burman), Squamish and Bella Coola (Salish), Sahaptin (Sahaptian), Kutenai (isolate), Surinam Carib (Carib), Spanish and Greek (Indo-European), Korean, Maasai (Nilotic), Cebuano and Karao (Philippine). The comparative quantified study of pragmatic voice functions tests the validity of a universal functional definition of voice and in particular of “inverse”. The cross-language comparison of grammatical structures that code the various voice functions then lays down the foundation for a non-trivial cross-language typology of “inverse”.

Edition details

• Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Company
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1556194218
• ISBN 13: 9781556194214
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 410
• Editor: Givon T.