tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Thu May 27 05:31:42 2004

Back to archive top level

To this year's listing

• Index by Date
• Index by Thread
• Index by Author

Re: core semantic case roles: agent, patient, focus

MorphemeAddict ([email protected])

• From: [email protected]
• Subject: Re: core semantic case roles: agent, patient, focus
• Date: Thu, 27 May 2004 08:30:56 EDT

In a message dated 2004-05-26 11:58:22 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
[email protected] writes:

> For example:
> 
>   ravDaq paq chagh puq
> 
> Can you identify an agent here?  From your definitions, I'd guess that
> {puq} is "the entity responsible for the event".  But in this example, the
> next sentence is:
> 
>   'e' raD Qel
> 
> Now, unless I've missed something, the agent is {Qel}, since that's now the
> responsible entity.
> 
> 
Each verb has it's own subject and object.  The subjects of both {chagh} and 
{raD} are agents, they are "responsible for the event".  {paq} is a patient.  
It experiences the action of the verb {chagh} brought about by the agent 
{puq}.  The pronoun {'e'} is also a patient.  The agent {Qel} is responsible for 
the action of the verb {raD}, and the effect of that action is a new state or 
change of state in the pronoun.

My main point for the whole post was to let others know how I use the words 
that others were already using.  There seemed to be some confusion over some of 
the meanings.  I hoped to clarify the issue somewhat.  Perhaps I failed.  I 
still hope that at least others will understand what I mean when I use the 
terms.

lay'tel SIvten

• Prev by Date: Re: action verbs vs. qualities
• Next by Date: Re: action verbs vs. qualities
• Previous by thread: Re: core semantic case roles: agent, patient, focus
• Next by thread: Re: core semantic case roles: agent, patient, focus
• Index(es):
  • Date
  • Thread
  • Author

Back to archive top level