Abstract
The distribution of passive and antipassive constructions in a number of language is examined. The discussion focuses on promotional passives and antipassives of the kind found in German and Dyirbal, respectively. Two accusative languages, German and Choctaw, and two ergative languages, Dyirbal and Enga, are surveyed, and Choctaw and Enga are found to lack constructions of the type found in the other two languages. It is argued that this is related to a fundamental difference in the nature of the grammatical processes in the two groups of languages, and a distinction between role-dominated and reference-dominated languages is proposed to capture this difference.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
