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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