LINGUIST List 13.2365

Wed Sep 18 2002

Qs: Aspect Conditioning, Second lang Learning

Editor for this issue: Renee Galvis <reneelinguistlist.org>



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Directory

  • Juergen Bohnemeyer, Aspect-Conditioning
  • Elizabeth Brusco, Second Language Learning

    Message 1: Aspect-Conditioning

     Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 17:34:38 +0200
    From: Juergen Bohnemeyer <Juergen.Bohnemeyermpi.nl>
    Subject: Aspect-Conditioning




    Qs: Aspect-conditioned split-intransitive marking

    Systems of argument/case marking that have properties (a)-(c) appear to be rare among the languages of the world:

    (a) The single argument of EVERY intransitive verb may be marked like either the 'actor' or the 'undergoer' argument of transitive verbs.

    (b) The choice between these two options is governed, not by lexical semantics or clause-level semantic construal, but by overtly marked categories of 'viewpoint aspect' (i.e., roughly, (im)perfectivity).

    (c) The argument/case marking split is restricted to intransitive verbs/clauses; that is, the marking of the arguments of transitive clauses is not affected by aspect(-mood) marking.

    (Note that while (b) establishes a similarity between the pattern in question and more familiar cases of aspect-induced split ergativity, as e.g. in Hindi and Georgian, (c) establishes a similarity between the pattern at hand and the systems that Dixon (1994) calls 'split-S' marking (found e.g. in Guarani and Dakota) and 'fluid-S' marking (found e.g. in some Caucasian languages, such as Bats), and (a) constitutes a similarity between the pattern at hand and Dixon's 'fluid-S' pattern in particular.)

    This pattern of argument/case marking is found in some Mayan languages (in particular, in languages of the Ch'olan and Yucatecan branches). What I would like to know is whether anybody is aware of instances of this pattern outside the Mayan language family. I would also greatly appreciate any references pertinent to this issue. I will post a summary provided I receive a sufficient number of responses to warrant that.

    Thanks! Juergen Bohnemeyer

    Message 2: Second Language Learning

     Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 21:36:45 +0000
    From: Elizabeth Brusco <bruscoeeplu.edu>
    Subject: Second Language Learning


    In reference to a debate in my institution concerning a language requirement, I am looking for any research reports regarding college students (or other individuals) who are incapable of learning a second language.

    Please respond to bruscoeeplu.edu

    Thanks, Elizabeth Brusco