The Transitivity Index: Using Transitivity as a continuous measure to account for clitic case alternation in Spanish causative constructions

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246834
• Publication Date: 2021-02-25T18:55:17Z
• Authors: Gustavo Guajardo
• Keywords: Clitic; Causation; Causative; Dative case

In Spanish causative constructions with dejar ‘let’ and hacer ‘make’ the subject of embedded infinitive verb can appear in accusative or dative case. This case alternation has been accounted for by resorting to notion direct vs. indirect causation. Under this account, clitic a transitive denotes causation while an intransitive expresses The problem account is that we lack independent definition (in)direct context so approach suffers from circularity: used determine type implies use one other grammatical Therefore, more objective way needed. paper, I offer possible solution direction investigating against Hopper Thompson’s Transitivity parameters small number linguistic variables. novelty operationalise as weighted continuous measure (which call Index) it predict clitic. results indicate transitivity verb, animacy object agentivity are strong predictors Moreover, Index clearly shows higher levels associated contrary contexts which said be transitive. findings paper allow us arrive at finer-grained characterization each likely occur provide further evidence pervasiveness natural language.