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  L15 Verb alternation


                   Alternations

o  Alternation of a verb
    - Same sense of the verb, but
    - Different sets of valid mappings from conceptual roles
      to surface structure (vibhaktis). That is, same surface
      role may get mapped to different theta roles, in different
      usages of the verb.

    + Ex.: Ram gave a book to Mohan
       * Obj (book in above ex.) mapped to theme of 'give'
    + Ex.: Ram gave Mohan a book
       * Obj (Mohan in ex.) mapped to beneficiary of 'give'
       - Above called dative alternation

o  Experiencer - Theme alternations
    + Ex.:  I am frightened.
       - Subj is experiencer of fright.
    + Ex.:  I frightened the cat.
       - Subj is agent of causing fright.

o  Agent-Theme alternation
    + Ex.1:  He opened the lock.
       - Subj is agent of open.
    + Ex.2:  The lock opened
       - Subj is theme of open.
    * Contrast: Sense 2 of 'open' above, is different from passive form:
       + Ex. of passive: The lock was opened by him.
       - This passive form of 'open' same as in Ex.1.
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