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

9789027227713

Table of Contents

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

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available