Universal #78

Legacy number: 78

 Number  78
 Original  Only languages in which (a) passivization involves complete loss of the semantic case-coding properties of the object and an assumption by it of all the case-coding properties of the subject, and (b) no additional provisions exist for coding the semantic case of promoted non-accusative objects on the verb, will exhibit the accusative-only constraints on passivization.
 Standardized  IF passivization is restricted to direct objects, THEN the direct object loses any direct or verbal marking for its semantic case in the passive and acquires all case-coding properties of a subject.
 Keywords  diathesis, passivization, subject, verb, direct object
 Domain  inflection, syntax
 Type  implication
 Status  achronic
 Quality  absolute
 Basis  languages in Givón 1975
 Source  Givón 1975: 118-120

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Discussion
Notes
Accusative object in the terminology of Givón means “direct object”.
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
Accusative object in the terminology of Givón means "direct object".