The role of non-canonical subjects in the overall grammar of a language.: A case study of Russian.

Dagmar Divjak

doi:10.1075/cal.16.11jan

The role of non-canonical subjects in the overall grammar of a language. A case study of Russian.

Dagmar Divjak

Modern Languages

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

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Abstract

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.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Subjects in Constructions – Canonical and Non-Canonical
Place of Publication	Amsterdam
Publisher	John Benjamins Publishing Company
Pages	293–317
Volume	16
ISBN (Electronic)	9789027269188
ISBN (Print)	9789027204387
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1075/cal.16.11jan
Publication status	Published - 2015

Publication series

Name	Constructional Approaches to Language
Publisher	John Benjamins
Volume	16

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10.1075/cal.16.11jan

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The role of non-canonical subjects in the overall grammar of a language. A case study of Russian. . / Divjak, Dagmar.
Subjects in Constructions – Canonical and Non-Canonical. Vol. 16 Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 2015. p. 293–317 (Constructional Approaches to Language; Vol. 16).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

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The role of non-canonical subjects in the overall grammar of a language. A case study of Russian.

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