TY - CHAP
T1 - The role of non-canonical subjects in the overall grammar of a language.
T2 - A case study of Russian.
AU - Divjak, Dagmar
PY - 2015
Y1 - 2015
N2 - We offer a model of Russian core syntax in terms of a radial category network of constructions. The prototype corresponds to Langacker’s “canonical event model”, namely a prototypical transitive event, and more peripheral constructions are related to it via metaphor and metonymy. From this perspective we focus on non-canonical subjects marked in the dative case, highlighting the complex interaction of lexical items (verbs) with constructions, and building on our previous work on case and infinitives. We hypothesize that a speaker’s perception of cause may be influenced by the use of non-canonical subjects (in Russian) rather than canonical subjects (in English) and present the results of an experiment. We are unable to prove any conclusive effect, but show the importance and need for further testing.
AB - We offer a model of Russian core syntax in terms of a radial category network of constructions. The prototype corresponds to Langacker’s “canonical event model”, namely a prototypical transitive event, and more peripheral constructions are related to it via metaphor and metonymy. From this perspective we focus on non-canonical subjects marked in the dative case, highlighting the complex interaction of lexical items (verbs) with constructions, and building on our previous work on case and infinitives. We hypothesize that a speaker’s perception of cause may be influenced by the use of non-canonical subjects (in Russian) rather than canonical subjects (in English) and present the results of an experiment. We are unable to prove any conclusive effect, but show the importance and need for further testing.
U2 - 10.1075/cal.16.11jan
DO - 10.1075/cal.16.11jan
M3 - Chapter
SN - 9789027204387
VL - 16
T3 - Constructional Approaches to Language
SP - 293
EP - 317
BT - Subjects in Constructions – Canonical and Non-Canonical
PB - John Benjamins Publishing Company
CY - Amsterdam
ER -