Abstract
Reflexive verbs in Modern Hebrew show specific morphological marking: only one of the seven verbal templates in the language can be used for reflexives. Yet this morphological marking also appears on anticausative verbs, which have different syntactic and semantic properties. I provide an analysis of reflexivity in Hebrew which does not make reference to dedicated reflexive morphosyntax. By combining independently needed functional heads, the proposal explains what in the syntax underlies this morphology and how different kinds of verbs end up with identical morphophonological properties. To this end, I consider the lexical semantics of individual lexical roots as well as the syntactic configurations in which roots and arguments are embedded. The resulting theory is one in which lexical roots trigger specific interpretations of the syntax at the interfaces.
Highlights
1.1 Background Reflexive verbs have posed a long-standing puzzle for theories of argument structure: one argument appears to have two thematic roles, agent and patient
The current account of reflexive verbs is couched in a general theory of the Semitic verb, employing contemporary theories of morphology in order to analyze a peculiarity of Hebrew: reflexive verbs are only possible in one of the verbal templates, the most complex one morphophonologically
7 Conclusion The main empirical issue addressed in this paper was the morphology of reflexive verbs in Hebrew
Summary
1.1 Background Reflexive verbs have posed a long-standing puzzle for theories of argument structure: one argument appears to have two thematic roles, agent and patient. The first is whether there exist dedicated reflexivizers, operators whose sole job is to reduce the arity of a predicate, or whether this job is carried out through a conspiracy of other components of the grammar Both options carry implications for where the origin of morphological marking lies and what it tracks. The second question is whether reflexive verbs are unaccusative or unergative: where is the argument generated and how does it come to be the subject of the clause. The current account of reflexive verbs is couched in a general theory of the Semitic verb, employing contemporary theories of morphology in order to analyze a peculiarity of Hebrew: reflexive verbs are only possible in one of the verbal templates, the most complex one morphophonologically.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
