Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The syntax of applicatives in Chicheŵa: Problems for a theta theoretic asymmetry

  • Published:
Natural Language & Linguistic Theory Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A recent paper by Baker (1988b) claims that certain asymmetries in the syntax of applicatives in Chicheŵa derive from an asymmetry in the assignment of the beneficiary and instrumental theta-roles. In this paper we adduce three types of evidence against this theta theoretic asymmetry. First, the facts of Wh-movement, which he presents as evidence for this asymmetry, on closer inspection, are shown not to follow from it. Second, we demonstrate that his claim that beneficiary applicatives cannot be formed from intransitive verbs is incorrect. And, third, we present the facts of locative applicatives, which behave in a manner opposite to what would be expected given the conception of Theta Theory assumed by Baker (1988b).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alsina, Alex and Sam A. Mchombo: 1989, ‘Object Asymmetries and the Chicheŵa Applicative Construction’, to appear in S. Mchombo (ed.) Theoretical Aspects of Bantu Grammar, CSLI, Stanford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, Mark: 1988a, Incorporation: A Theory of Grammatical Function Changing, University of Chicago Press, Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, Mark: 1988b, ‘Theta Theory and the Syntax of Applicatives in Chicheŵa’, Natural Language and Linguistic Theory 6, 353–389.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bresnan, Joan and Sam A. Mchombo: 1987, ‘Topic, Pronoun and Agreement in Chicheŵa’, Language 63, 741–782.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bresnan, Joan and Lioba Moshi: 1990, ‘Object Asymmetries in Comparative Bantu Syntax’, Linguistic Inquiry 21, 147–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chomsky, Noam: 1981, Lectures on Government and Binding, Foris, Dordrecht.

    Google Scholar 

  • Czepluch, Hartmut: 1982, ‘Case Theory and the Dative Construction’, The Linguistic Review 2, 1–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rizzi, Luigi: 1986, ‘On Chain Formation’, in H. Borer (ed.), Syntax and Semantics., Vol. 19: The Syntax of Pronominal Clitics, Academic Press, San Diego, pp. 65–95

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSLI Ventura Hall, Stanford University, 94305-4115, Stanford, CA, U.S.A.

    Alex Alsina

  2. Department of Linguistics, University of California, 94720, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.

    Sam Mchombo

Authors
  1. Alex Alsina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sam Mchombo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

We would like to thank Joan Bresnan for her comments on previous versions of this paper, and Judith Aissen for editorial help. We also acknowledge Jonni Kanerva's help with the transcription of tones. This work was supported in part by the United States National Science Foundation under Grants No. BNS-8609642 and BNS-8919880, and in part by the Center for the Study of Language and Information, Stanford University.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Alsina, A., Mchombo, S. The syntax of applicatives in Chicheŵa: Problems for a theta theoretic asymmetry. Nat Lang Linguist Theory 8, 493–506 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00133691

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00133691

Keywords

Search

Navigation