..........................................NEXT PREVIOUS INDEX
 

 L03 Structure of actions: agent theta role


       Structure of Actions: Agent Theta Role

Let us first analyze some sentences and introduce some concepts:

o  Participants in an action:
    + Ex.: Ram gave a book to Sita at 5 pm.
       - Participants in 'give' action:  Ram, Sita, book, 5 pm

o  Towards theta-roles:  First, some examples:
    + Ex.: Ram is 'giver' in example action above.
    + Ex.: Ram is 'opener' in action below:
       - Ram opened the door.

    - What is common in giver and opener
       - Both are doers or agents of their respective actions.

    * 'agent' is a theta role.
       - One who performs the action or doer of the action.

o  Agent theta role
    + Ex.: The wind opened the door
       - Is wind the agent?
       - Usually the answer is: No.

    * Agent must do the task volitionally
       - So wind is not agent. Call it force theta role.

o  Experiencer theta role.
    + Ex.: Mohan broke his leg
    - Meaning of above: Mohan's leg got broken.
    - Is Mohan the agent?
    - Ans.: No. He is experiencer.

    * 'Experiencer' means one who experiences the result of action.
..........................................NEXT PREVIOUS INDEX