Overview

This work offers an analysis of the syntax and semantics of transitive reflexive sentences in German, which is embedded in the major phenomenon of the middle voice in Indo-European languages. It integrates the interpretation of non-argument reflexives into a modified version of recent theories of binding. The ambiguity of the reflexive pronoun is derived at the interface between syntax and semantics and does not rely on additional lexical or syntactic rules of argument suppression and argument promotion. This shift towards the semantic interpretation of syntactic arguments enables the author to offer a unified analysis of the middle, the anticausative and the reflexive interpretations. Furthermore, the crucial distinction between structural and oblique case forms is discussed and it is illustrated how specific properties of middle constructions such as adverbial modification or subject responsibility can be related to the generic interpretation of middle constructions.

Full Product Details

Author:   Markus Steinbach (Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz)
Publisher:   John Benjamins Publishing Co
Imprint:   John Benjamins Publishing Co
Volume:   50
Weight:   0.775kg
ISBN:  

9789027227713

ISBN 10:   9027227713
Pages:   337
Publication Date:   27 June 2002
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Awaiting stock  
The supplier is currently out of stock of this item. It will be ordered for you and placed on backorder. Once it does come back in stock, we will ship it out for you.

Table of Contents

1. Acknowledgments; 2. List of abbreviations; 3. 1. Introduction; 4. 2. Middle constructions and middle voice: What does a middle look like?; 5. 3. Lexical and syntactic approaches to middle formation; 6. 4. The syntax of transitive reflexive sentences: Word order, coordination, focus, and fronting; 7. 5. The interpretation of reflexive pronouns in German; 8. 6. Suppressed arguments and dative objects; 9. 7. Middle constructions revisited; 10. 8. Conclusion; 11. References; 12. Subject index

Reviews

My overall evaluation is positive. The book reads easily. The book is necessary reading for everyone interested in reflexivity, middle voice, middle constructions and German grammar. -- Andrew McIntyre, University of Leipzig on Linguist List Vol 14-260, 2003

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions