Re: Ergativity

Joe wrote:

>Mark J. Reed wrote:
>
>>Okay, so let me see if I can summarize the terminology:
>>
>>Verb Arguments
>>        A = Agent (transitive subject)
>>        P = Patient (transitive object)
>>        S = Subject (intransitive)
>>
>>Construct Categories
>>        Name                    Groupings
>>        Accusative              {A,  S} {P}
>>        Clairvoyant             {A,  P,  S}
>>        Ergative                {A} {S,  P}
>>        Monster Raving Loony    {A,  P} {S}
>>        Tripartite              {A} {P} {S}
>
>Kalon has a four-way distinction, so as to distinguish between 'Robert
>cooked'(roasting the meat over an open fire)  and 'Robert cooked'(and
>was beginning to boil over).  Are there any languages with an 'O', as
>distinguished from an 'S'?
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Ithkuil divides up the usual S/A/P distinction into nine distinct cases,
corresponding to the semantic roles of AGENT, ENABLER, SELF-MOTIVATOR,
PATIENT, FORCE, STIMULUS, CONTENT, EXPERIENCER, and INSTRUMENT, explained
as follows:

AGENT – initiator of an action causing a direct result to a patient:
Example:  The CLOWN drained the tub (e.g., by turning it over and pouring
out the water)

ENABLER – initiator of a chain of events which results in an action.
Example:  The CLOWN drained the tub (e.g., by pulling out the plug).

SELF-MOTIVATOR – initiator of a self-induced action without external cause
or influence.  Examples:  SHE danced to the music.  The DOG barked for no
reason.  My Sone ran down the street.

PATIENT – party undergoing the tangible result of an externally caused,
enabled, or influenced action.  Example:  The music made HER dance.  They
killed HIM.  HE died from his wounds.

FORCE – unconscious initiating influence or force.  Examples:  The MUSIC
made her dance.  The WIND broke the window.

STIMULUS – unconscious or non-deliberate cause or focus of an affective
mental state, emotion or autonomic sensory experience.  Examples:  The
COFFEE smells good.  I saw HER today.  She hates THAT KID.  THAT SONG makes
me cry.

CONTENT - this encapsulates the semantic roles of “message” used with verbs
of saying/telling, “transferee” used for verbs of giving/taking, “referent”
for, as well as referents used with experiential verbs and in sentences of
copula identification).  Examples: She gave me a BOOK.  The child likes
CEREAL.  That MAN is blind.  My HOUSE is over there.  Jane loves SAM.

EXPERIENCER – undergoer of unwilled experiential, affective or autonomic
state.  Examples:  HE laughed.  The BOY felt cold.  My leg itches ME.  THEY
flinched at the loud bang.  My FATHER is angry.  JANE loves Sam.

INSTRUMENT –physical means used by an implicit agent to accomplish a
result.  Examples:  The BALL broke the window.  The HAMMER crushed my
finger.

--John Quijada