Evolution of semantic functions of subjective reflexive markers: semantic reflexivity > ‘partitive object’ and/or autocausative > absolute and/or reciprocal. (a) RMs with the primary semantic reflexive function are the starting point of evolution, (b) RMs with the semantic reflexive and ‘partitive object’ and/or autocausative functions are in the advanced stage of evolution; (c) RMs with a complete range of semantic subjective functions may be regarded as ‘mature’, and (d) RMs lacking the semantic reflexive (and next to it ‘partitive object’) function(s) are in the final, decaying stage of development.
Standardized
Evolution of semantic functions of subjective reflexive markers: semantic reflexivity > ‘partitive object’ and/or autocausative > absolute and/or reciprocal. (a) RMs with the primary semantic reflexive function are the starting point of evolution, (b) RMs with the semantic reflexive and “partitive object” and/or autocausative functions are in the advanced stage of evolution; (c) RMs with a complete range of semantic subjective functions may be regarded as “mature”, and (d) RMs lacking the semantic reflexive (and next to it “partitive object”) function(s) are in the final, decaying stage of development.
Keywords
reflexive
Domain
syntax, semantics
Type
target < source
Status
diachronic
Quality
statistical
Basis
over 50 Indo-European and non-Indo-European languages
1. Thus the degree of “maturity” of a reflexive marker is not measured by the actual time span of its existence but by the number of functions it has developed or retains (Geniusiene 1987: 348). 2. SEMANTIC REFLEXIVES are characterized by total Agent-Patient coreference; PARTITIVE OBJECT reflexive verbs are characterized by partial coreference (of the whole and (body-)part); in AUTOCAUSATIVE reflexive verbs, the only remaining referent retains the Semantic Subject role and at the same time acquires some features of the Semantic Object (namely, changes its own state or location) of the base nonreflexive verb; RECIPROCAL reflexive verbs are characterized by a total “cross-reference” of the roles. 3. As achronic constraints:IF a reflexive marker has absolute and/or reciprocal function(s), THEN it has ‘partitive object’ and/or autocausative function(s).IF a reflexive marker has ‘partitive object’ and/or autocausative function(s), THEN it has semantic reflexive function.
1. Thus the degree of “maturity” of a reflexive marker is not measured by the actual time span of its existence but by the number of functions it has developed or retains (Geniusiene 1987: 348). 2. SEMANTIC REFLEXIVES are characterized by total Agent-Patient coreference; PARTITIVE OBJECT reflexive verbs are characterized by partial coreference (of the whole and (body-)part); in AUTOCAUSATIVE reflexive verbs, the only remaining referent retains the Semantic Subject role and at the same time acquires some features of the Semantic Object (namely, changes its own state or location) of the base nonreflexive verb; RECIPROCAL reflexive verbs are characterized by a total “cross-reference” of the roles. 3. As achronic constraints:IF a reflexive marker has absolute and/or reciprocal function(s), THEN it has ‘partitive object’ and/or autocausative function(s).IF a reflexive marker has ‘partitive object’ and/or autocausative function(s), THEN it has semantic reflexive function.