This investigation is an attempt to propose a new approach to case forms in Russian verbal phrases. It adopts the hypothesis that a semantic structure of verbs at lexical level is posited as an array of thematic roles. to which syntactic representatio...
This investigation is an attempt to propose a new approach to case forms in Russian verbal phrases. It adopts the hypothesis that a semantic structure of verbs at lexical level is posited as an array of thematic roles. to which syntactic representations are to be matched. The semantic representation is made by the modification of Jackendoff's "lexical conceptual structure" that applies the Talmy's force-dynamics theory to capture various dynamic relationships of entities participating in events or states. The makeup of arguments constituting the semantic structure is then to be related to the case forms in the syntax by linking theory. which constitutes a lexical redundancy rule. Along the line. it illustrates that insofar as case forms in the syntax correspond to an array of arguments in the semantic structure. they are semantic by virtue of making a semantic contribution to the lexical interpretation. To such a category of semantic case belong some uses of case forms. i.e. accusative. dative, instrumental. This argument. albeit demonstrative. goes contrary with the case theories of Chomsky and Babby. First, accusative may be semantic as opposed to the treatment of it as configurational. Secondly, dative and instrumental also may be semantic since the arguments corresponding to the case forms are to be represented in the semantic structure. In other word, the case forms are predictable and productive at lexical level. which runs counter to the conclusion of Babby that they are unpredictable and ideosyncratic. This investigation demonstrates a semantic approach to case forms in Russian such as to open a way to further study many uses of accusative. the semantic structure of subjectless sentences and the linking of dative to the structure, and many uses of instrumental.