Universal #1147
Legacy number: 1147
| Number | 1143 |
| Original | A causative can become a passive, but a passive cannot become a causative. |
| Standardized | A causative can become a passive, but a passive cannot become a causative. |
| Keywords | passive, causative |
| Domain | inflection, syntax |
| Type | target < source |
| Status | diachronic |
| Quality | absolute |
| Basis | 79 languages from the GRAMCATS database, see Haspelmath 1990: 71-72 |
| Source | Haspelmath 1990: 49 |
Discussion
Notes
1. This observation dates back to Gabelentz 1861: §15.2. Haspelmath: 1990: 27: a construction is called passive if: (i) the active subject corresponds either to a non-obligatory oblique phrase or to nothing; and (ii) the active direct object (if any) corresponds to the subject of the passive; and (iii) the construction is somehow restricted vis-à-vis another unrestricted construction (the active), e.g. less frequent, functionally specialized, not fully productive.
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2. Haspelmath: 1990: 27: a construction is called passive if:
<table class = "textTable">
<tr>
<td> (i)</td>
<td> the active subject corresponds either to a non-obligatory oblique phrase or to nothing; and</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> (ii)</td>
<td> the active direct object (if any) corresponds to the subject of the passive; and</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> (iii)</td>
<td>the construction is somehow restricted vis-à-vis another unrestricted construction (the active), e.g. less frequent, functionally specialized, not fully productive.</td>
</tr>
</table>