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Impersonal constructions : a cross-linguistic perspective / / edited by Andrej Malchukov, Anna Siewierska



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Titolo: Impersonal constructions : a cross-linguistic perspective / / edited by Andrej Malchukov, Anna Siewierska Visualizza cluster
Pubblicazione: Amsterdam ; ; Philadelphia, : John Benjamins Pub. Co., 2011
Edizione: 1st ed.
Descrizione fisica: ix, 641 p. : ill., maps
Disciplina: 415/.6
Soggetto topico: Grammar, Comparative and general - Subjectless constructions
Grammar, Comparative and general - Word order
Altri autori: MalʹchukovA. L (Andreĭ Lʹvovich)  
SiewierskaAnna  
Note generali: Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph
Nota di bibliografia: Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
Nota di contenuto: pt. 1. Impersonal constructions : typological and theoretical aspects -- pt. 2. Impersonal constructions : diachronic studies -- pt. 3. Cross-linguistic variation in impersonal constructions : case studies.
Sommario/riassunto: In the four Pama-Nyungan languages Umpithamu, Morrobolam, Mbarrumbathama and Rimanggudinhma there is a core set of impersonals centred around experiencer object constructions. They describe involuntary physical processes, and are formally characterized by lack of nominative pronominal cross-reference, and optional absence of ergative agent nominals. In addition, systematic lack of nominative cross-reference is found in constructions with inanimate agents in all four languages, and in experienced action constructions in Umpithamu, in both cases with ergatively-marked nominals. It is argued that nominative cross-reference is the basic criterion for subject status, with ergative marking merely indicating agent status. Given the lack of any specific valency-changing morphology, impersonals with ergatively-marked nominals are functional equivalents of a voice mechanism, with agents demoted from subject status. This process has developed furthest in Umpithamu where the experienced action construction is systematically available as an alternative construal for a subset of transitive clauses. Keywords: impersonal; experiencer object; inanimate agent; passive; Umpithamu; Lamalamic.
Titolo autorizzato: Impersonal constructions  Visualizza cluster
ISBN: 1-283-17495-2
9786613174956
90-272-8716-3
Formato: Materiale a stampa
Livello bibliografico Monografia
Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
Record Nr.: 9910139645403321
Lo trovi qui: Univ. Federico II
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Serie: Studies in language companion series ; ; v. 124.