The argument structure of deverbal nominals in Venda

[摘要] ENGLISH SUMMARY: This study investigates the structure of deverbal event nominals in Venda. Thecentral aim of this study is to investigate the syntactic projection orrealization of arguments in the argument structure of the deverbal eventnominals. The properties of these structures will be investigated in full.The event nominals used will be derived from a diversity of verbs,monotransitive verbs, ditransitive and intransitive verbs. The data that willbe used in this study have been collected from Venda, although reference ismade to English examples, more especially in section two (2).It will be demonstrated that the argument structure of the deverbal eventnominals in Venda is similar to the argument structure of the related activeverb. The difference between the two is that there is a visible externalargument assigned by the verb phrase, whereas a similar external argument doesnot occur with deverbal event nominals. All the arguments of the deverbalevent nominals appear within the maximal projection of the nominals inquestion. They occur in the postnominal position, either as complements of thegenitive a or any salient preposition.Just like in English, some theta-roles are assigned by prepositions in theargument structure of deverbal nominals in Venda. The only difference is thatthe argument structure of the deverbal event nominals in Venda may have bareNPs, that is, arguments which are not preceded by a genitive a or anypreposition may occur and still carry their theta-roles. However, argumentsimmediately adjacent to the deverbal event nominals must be preceded by apreposition or the genitive a.It will be demonstrated that ambiguity occurs in instances of omission oralternation of arguments. This occurs especially when the remaining argumentis animate (that is if the argument projected in a syntactic position isanimate or have human control ambiguity arises in the thematic interpretationif any other argument is not realized).There is also a relationship between the argument structure of deverbal eventnominals and control theory. An implicit argument or an overt argument in theargument structure of deverbal event nomina1s may successfully serve as thecontroller of the PRO subject of infinitival clause.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University