Theodore Kloba <ted.kloba@...> wrote:
> It does seem that reflexive and middle voice are very similar. I think=
it
> depends on the way it's constructed ina particular language.
>=20
> Reflexive also occurs in some natural languages in constructions that w=
ould
> be active voice in English. Some IE Examples:
>=20
> "He is bored."
> French "Il s'ennui" - He bores himself.
Yes, it occurs in Spanish too, and the pronoun is of the same origin
and spelling (_se_ for 3rd person). But it's not only reflexive. I've
heard it called 'pseudo-reflexive'. The French above I would translate
'He gets bored'. In Spanish (and probably in French?) you have to use
a explicit reflexive free pronoun (i. e. not a clitic like _se_) to
mark a truly reflexive verb in such ambiguous cases:
=C9l se aburre a s=ED mismo.
"He gets bored to/bores himself"
where _s=ED_ is not the word for 'yes' :) but the free form of the
reflexive 3rd person singular pronoun, and _mismo_ means 'same'
and is used for emphasis.
--Pablo Flores
http://draseleq.conlang.org/pablo-david/