Alejandra Capistrán, "Multiple Object Constructions in P'Orhépecha: Argument Realization and Valence-Affecting Morphology"
English | 2015 | ISBN: 9004288333 | PDF | pages: 358 | 1.6 mb
English | 2015 | ISBN: 9004288333 | PDF | pages: 358 | 1.6 mb
In Multiple Object Constructions in P'orhépecha, Capistrán offers a detailed description of double and triple object clauses in P'orhépecha, a Mesoamerican isolate with a case system lacking an accusative-dative distinction. Regarding argument realization, Capistrán discusses alternating constructions and a construction split triggered by the person hierarchy. Valence-affecting operations–applicative, causative/instrumental and part-whole lexical suffixes–are examined, highlighting the person features of applicative suffixes and the complex part-whole morphology. Capistrán's analysis demonstrates that in P'orhépecha most object coding properties show a neutral pattern, while all behavioral properties present asymmetries that shape a secundative pattern or PO/SO alignment. Capistrán argues that the strong tendency in P'orhépecha to determine PO selection according to a thematic ranking helps explain the (un)grammaticality of tritransitive constructions.