z-logo
open-access-imgOpen Access
Exploring the asymmetric coding of autobenefactive in Lithuanian and beyond
Author(s) -
Vladimir Panov
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
baltic linguistics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.106
H-Index - 1
ISSN - 2081-7533
DOI - 10.32798/bl.707
Subject(s) - lithuanian , grammaticalization , asymmetry , linguistics , phenomenon , georgian , reflexivity , psychology , epistemology , sociology , philosophy , physics , quantum mechanics , social science
In this paper, I investigate a group of semantically close functions marked by the Reflexive marker in Lithuanian, which I address as autobenefactive. I provide a classification of these functions and then turn to a marking asymmetry which is characteristic of the them, namely the tendency to occur in perfective contexts and not to occur in progressive contexts. On the basis of a questionnaire, I show that this tendency indeed exists, although different verbs are involved to different degrees, and we are presumably witnessing an ongoing grammaticalization process. I then compare the Lithuanian marking asymmetry to a phenomenon in Georgian, in which the use of “subjective version” exhibits a similar kind of asymmetry with some groups of verbs. In the concluding section, I propose a typological explanation of the observed asymmetry, hypothesizing that the markers of both languages function in a way parallel to so-called “bounders” – telicizers with primary spatial meanings.

The content you want is available to Zendy users.

Already have an account? Click here to sign in.
Having issues? You can contact us here