Abstract
This chapter studies Arabic dative structures by examining the particular semantic properties of verbs that impact verb-phrase syntax through the analysis of core case roles which, as Pinker notes, are also called predicate argument structures, subcategorization frames, subcategorizations, case frames, lexical forms and theta grids. When derivational or syntactic modifications yield ditransitive constructions, it is often possible to discover semantic reasons for particular syntactic constraints. The chapter examines case and grammatical relations in Arabic, particularly relations that involve predicate-argument structures, prepositions, and semantic structure. It focuses on the Arabic preposition li - ?to,' ?for,' and its discourse function as a component of dative structures. The chapter provides an analysis of dative-type argument structures and shows how semantic components of Arabic verbs interact with syntax to frame predictable double-object or ditransitive alternations, and how these contrast with similar English verbs. Keywords:Arabic dative; ditransitive constructions; li ; predicate-argument structures; semantic structure
Published Version
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