Non-canonical Marking of Subjects and Objects: 46 (Typological Studies in Language) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9027229503 ISBN 13: 9789027229502

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Co, 2001

Synopsis

In some languages every subject is marked in the same way, and also every object. But there are languages in which a small set of verbs mark their subjects or their objects in an unusual way. For example, most verbs may mark their subject with nominative case, but one small set of verbs may have dative subjects, and another small set may have locative subjects. Verbs with noncanonically marked subjects and objects typically refer to physiological states or events, inner feelings, perception and cognition. The Introduction sets out the theoretical parameters and defines the properties in terms of which subjects and objects can be analysed. Following chapters discuss Icelandic, Bengali, Quechua, Finnish, Japanese, Amele (a Papuan language), and Tariana (an Amazonian language); there is also a general discussion of European languages. This is a pioneering study providing new and fascinating data, and dealing with a topic of prime theoretical importance to linguists of many persuasions.

Edition details

• Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Co
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9027229503
• ISBN 13: 9789027229502
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384
• Editor: Aikhenvald Alexandra Y., Dixon R.M.W., Onishi Masayuki