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In:Historical Linguistics 2019: Selected papers from the 24th International Conference on Historical Linguistics, Canberra, 1–5 July 2019
Edited by Bethwyn Evans, Maria Kristina Gallego and Luisa Miceli
[Current Issues in Linguistic Theory 367] 2024
► pp. 330–366

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Chapter 13
A cognitive-typological perspective on the origins of causative‑applicative polysemy

 | University of New Mexico
Published online: 21 November 2024
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https://doi.org/10.1075/cilt.367.13van
Abstract
In many languages, one morpheme functions both as a causative and as an applicative. Researchers such as Croft (1991) and Tuggy (1988) have noted the conceptual similarities between these functions, but the origins and conceptual mechanisms of change which cross-linguistically lead towards such polysemies have not been studied. This study investigates 88 languages, in which 11 polysemous causative-applicative morphemes were found. Extensions from etymological applicatives towards a causative function, and vice versa, are attested, although no etymological causatives which have become productive as applicatives were found. I argue that the conventionalisation of implicatures and other mechanisms of change allow such extensions to advance gradually over a continuum of valency-increasing functions, or more directly between conceptually further removed causatives and benefactive applicatives.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Definitions
    • 2.1Valency in Cognitive Grammar
    • 2.2Causatives in Cognitive Grammar
    • 2.3Benefactive/directive applicatives in Cognitive Grammar
  • 3.Intermediate cases
    • 3.1Because-of constructions
    • 3.2Comitative applicatives and sociative causatives
    • 3.3Instrumental applicatives
    • 3.4Summary
  • 4.Previous literature and hypotheses
  • 5.Methodology and data
  • 6.Paths towards causative-applicative polysemy
    • 6.1Extensions from causative to applicative
      • 6.1.1Pech
      • 6.1.2Bongu
    • 6.2Extensions from applicative to causative
      • 6.2.1Temne
      • 6.2.2Trukese
      • 6.2.3Lahu
      • 6.2.4Pangasinan
    • 6.3Other
    • 6.4Summary
  • 7.Discussion: Cognitive mechanisms of extension
    • 7.1Applicative extensions of causative morphemes
      • 7.1.1Pech
      • 7.1.2Bongu
    • 7.2Causative extensions of applicative morphemes
      • 7.2.1Temne
      • 7.2.2Trukese
      • 7.2.3Lahu
      • 7.2.4Pangasinan
    • 7.3Summary
  • 8.Conclusions
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
  • Appendix
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