The Evolution of Ergativity in Iranian Languages

Authors

  • Yadgar KARIMI University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4312/ala.2.1.23-44

Keywords:

ergative structure, resultatives, past participle, Old Persian, Iranian languages

Abstract

This paper presents an attempt to investigate the origins of ergativity in Iranian languages, drawing upon diachronic and synchronic analyses. In so doing, I will trace the development of the ergative structure back to Old and Middle Persian where, it is argued, the roots of ergativity lie. I will specifically show that the ergative pattern as currently obtained in the grammatical structure of some Iranian languages has evolved from a periphrastic past participle construction, the analogue of which is attested in Old Persian. It will further be argued that the predecessor past participle construction imparted a resultative construal in Old Persian and, subsequently, in the transition to Middle Persian, has assumed a simple past reading. The bottom-line of the analysis will be represented as a proposal regarding the nature of the ergative verb, to the effect that an ergative verb, as opposed to a regular (non-ergative) transitive verb, is semantically transitive, but syntactically intransitive.

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Author Biography

  • Yadgar KARIMI, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj

    Assistant Professor of Linguistics

    Department of Linguistics & English Literature

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Published

22. 05. 2012

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Section

Research articles

How to Cite

KARIMI, Y. (2012). The Evolution of Ergativity in Iranian Languages. Acta Linguistica Asiatica, 2(1), 23-44. https://doi.org/10.4312/ala.2.1.23-44