擬態語動詞の統語構造

概要

論文の詳細を見る
Contrary to Tsujimura's (2001, 2005) assumption that mimetic verbs like burabura suru 'move in a swaying manner' are devoid of tangible meanings, it is shown that they do have more or less the same range of solid semantic and syntactic properties as ordinary lexical verbs. By distinguishing two major groups of mimetic verbs in terms of Lexical Conceptual Structure, one denoting an Agent's controllable actions and the other denoting a Theme's non-controllable states, this paper demonstrates that this semantic demarcation of the two groups of mimetic verbs is directly correlated with the syntactic realizations of their subjects: Whereas the subjects of controllable mimetic verbs occupy the external argument position, those of non-controllable verbs are shown to stay in the internal argument position. This demonstration provides fresh evidence for the rigid semantics-syntax correspondence as envisaged by the Unaccusative Hypothesis.
2006-05-25