A Descriptive and Theoretical Analysis of Complex Predicates in Iranian Languages

伊朗语言中复杂谓词的描述性和理论分析

• 批准号: 1451461
• 负责人: Simin Karimi
• 金额: $ 27.88万
• 依托单位: University of Arizona
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2015-07-01 至 2019-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1451461&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Descriptive; Theoretical; Analysis; Complex; Predicates

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.

世界语言中口头信息的表达方式不同。在英语中，这些信息主要通过简单的动词来表达，而在其他一些语言中，它是通过由两个或多个组成部分组成的复杂结构来传达的，语言学家称之为复杂谓词。例如，gerye kardan“哭泣做”（波斯语）在英语中翻译为单个动词“哭泣”。该项目的重点是对 17 种伊朗语言中的复杂谓词进行描述性和理论分析。在过去的 5-6 十年中，复杂谓词的性质一直是许多语言研究的主题。一个主要问题是它们是像单词一样，还是像短语一样，每个组件都揭示独立的属性。此外，各个部分对整体意义的贡献长期以来一直是语言理论的中心问题。至关重要的是，与在经过深入研究的语言（例如英语）中观察到的行为相比，复杂谓词揭示了某些结构的不同行为。这些结构包括被动语态（苹果被吃了）、结果语态（约翰把桌子擦干净）和使役语态（约翰让玛丽离开）。这些差异的本质及其存在的原因尚不清楚。新数据和伊朗语言的微观参数比较将为我们理解人类语言中复杂谓词形成及其行为的基础开辟新天地。数据收集将通过母语顾问的语言启发以及由接受过语言学培训的母语顾问填写的复杂谓词问卷进行。该项目的目标之一是对数据进行转录、编目并将其输入数据库。除了目标语言的网络百科全书之外，构成描述性分析和教学材料基础的所有文本材料都将以可访问的格式存储，供公众进一步研究。这项研究有望带来很多好处。它培养了几名学生成为伊朗语言专家，让他们了解美国人感兴趣但不太了解的语言和文化，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。