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

ISBN 10: 1588110435 / ISBN 13: 9781588110435

Published by John Benjamins Publishing Compan, 2001

About this Item

Seller Inventory # mon0003554299

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Non-canonical Marking of Subjects and Objects (Typological Studies in Language)
• Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Compan
• Publication Date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1588110435
• ISBN 13: 9781588110435
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Fine

About this title

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.