Applicative Constructions in the World's Languages

This book presents a state-of-the-art cross-linguistic survey of applicative constructions in the functional-typological tradition. An introductory section sets the terminological and analytical stage, presents the methodology used by the different chapters, and provides a typological outlook. The individual contributions address the morphological, syntactic and semantic variation of applicatives, as well as their discourse-pragmatic function. They cover all major language families and some isolates that feature some illuminating version of the phenomenon, paying special attention to language-internal variation and unity. The phenomena surveyed range from those instances usually considered canonical (valency-increasing, syntactically and semantically predictable, productive, dedicated, and optional) to those occasionally understudied in descriptive works and frequently neglected in comparative studies (valency-neutral, rather unpredictable, lexicalized, syncretic, and/or obligatory).

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 3110735482
• ISBN13: 9783110735482
• Release Date: January 2024
• Publisher: de Gruyter Mouton
• Length: 1100 Pages
• Weight: 4.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.3" x 6.7" x 9.6"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary