A Descriptive and Theoretical Analysis of Complex Predicates in Iranian Languages

语言信息在世界语言中的表达方式是不同的。在英语中，这种信息主要是通过一个简单的动词来表达的，而在其他一些语言中，它是通过一个由两个或两个以上成分组成的复杂结构来表达的，语言学家称之为复杂谓词。例如，gerye kardan(波斯语)中的哭泣行为在英语中被翻译为一个动词“哭泣”。该项目主要对17种伊朗语言中的复杂谓词进行描述性和理论性分析。在过去的5-60年里，复杂谓词的性质一直是许多语言学研究的主题。一个主要的问题是，它们是类似单词的，还是更确切地说，是类似短语的，每个成分都揭示了独立的属性。此外，各个部分对整体意义的贡献一直是语言学理论的中心问题。最重要的是，复杂谓词在某些结构上表现出不同于英语等研究较多的语言中观察到的行为。这些结构包括被动句(苹果被吃掉了)、结果句(John把桌子擦干净了)和使役句(John让Mary离开)。这些差异的性质以及它们存在的原因还没有被很好地理解。新的数据和伊朗语言的微观参数比较将为我们理解复杂谓词构成的基础及其在人类语言中的行为开辟新的天地。数据收集将通过与母语顾问进行语言启发以及由接受过语言学培训的母语顾问填写复杂的谓词问卷来进行。该项目的目标之一是将数据转录、编目并输入数据库。构成描述性分析和教学材料基础的所有文本材料，除目标语文的网上百科全书外，还将以可供公众进一步学习的无障碍格式储存。这项研究承诺会带来很多好处。它培训几名学生成为伊朗语言专家，提供对美国人感兴趣但不太了解的语言和文化的理解，并促进三大洲语言学家之间的研究关系，这将丰富合作活动。

Verbal information is conveyed differently in the world languages. In English, this information is mostly expressed by a simple verb, while in some other languages it is conveyed by a complex structure consisting of two or more components linguists call complex predicates. For example, gerye kardan 'cry doing' (Farsi) translates as the single verb 'to cry' in English. This project focuses on a descriptive and theoretical analysis of complex predicates in seventeen Iranian languages.The nature of complex predicates has been the subject of many linguistic studies in the last 5-6 decades. One major question is whether they are word-like, or rather phrase-like with each component revealing independent properties. Furthermore, the contribution of each part to the meaning of the whole have long been a central issue in linguistic theory. Crucially, complex predicates reveal distinct behavior with respect to certain constructions compared to those observed in well-studied languages such as English. These constructions include passives (The apple was eaten), resultatives (John wiped the table clean), and causatives (John made Mary leave). The nature of these differences, and the reasons for their existence, are not well understood. New data and the microparametric comparison of the Iranian languages will break new ground in our understanding of the underpinnings of complex predicate formation and their behavior in human language. Data collection will be conducted via linguistic elicitation with native speaker consultants as well as Complex Predicate Questionnaires to be filled out by native speaker consultants trained in linguistics. One of the goals of this project is to transcribe, catalogue and enter the data into a database. All the textual material that forms the basis for the descriptive analysis and pedagogical material will be stored in an accessible format available to public for further study, in addition to a web-based encyclopedia for the target languages. This study promises many benefits. It trains several students as experts in Iranian languages, provides understanding of languages and cultures Americans are interested in, but do not know much about, and fosters research relations between linguists in three continents, which will enrich collaborative activities.