Introduction to the Verb-particle Experience: Semantics, Argument Structure and Morphology

L1 Transfer in L2 Acquisition of the There-Insertion Construction by Mandarin EFL Learners

This study examined the role of the native language (L1) transfer in a non-native language (L2) acquisition of the there-insertion construction at the syntax-semantics interface. Specifically, the study investigated if Mandarin EFL learners would make overgeneralization errors in the situation where an L1 argument structure constitutes a superset of its L2 counterpart. Verbs of existence and ap...

EFL learners' learning of English verb argument structure

Deconstructing the German Verb Particle Nach at the Syntax - Semantics Interface

German particle verbs have been a source of confusion and disagreement in both syntax and semantics. This is shown by the considerable variety of approaches to particle verb constructions (see Dehé et al. 2002 for an overview). The major challenges are the argument structure of particle verbs and the role that particles play in determining them, especially in those cases where the argument stru...

Slouching towards deponency: A family of mismatches in the Bantu verb stem

1. INTRODUCTION. Most Bantu languages have a set of highly productive verbal deriva-tional suffixes which alter the argument structure and semantics of basic verb roots. 1 One example of such a suffix is the Causative, which gives a verb stem causative semantics and allows it to take an extra causer argument. A prototypical instance of the use of the Causative, drawn from Chichewa (Baker 1988:1...

Ditransitives and applicative structure in Greek

1 Introduction Applicative constructions, best known from languages with overt applicative morphology such as Kinyarwanda in (1) have traditionally been understood to add a core argument to the basic valence of the verb.