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In:Argument Selectors: A new perspective on grammatical relations
Edited by Alena Witzlack-Makarevich and Balthasar Bickel
[Typological Studies in Language 123] 2019
► pp. 185–211

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Grammatical relations in Basque

 | University of Bern
 | University of the Basque Country
Published online: 5 March 2019
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/tsl.123.06zun
This article presents the grammatical relations (GRs) of Standard Basque (isolate, Spain and France) as explored in terms of argument selection as instantiated by different constructions (i.e., the coding and behavioral properties usually discussed in the literature on alignment). The language emerges as showing comparatively simple dependent-marking patterns with quite intricate head-marking patterns (especially regarding morphological marking). These patterns combine accusative “deep syntax” with neutral “surface syntax” on the one hand, as well as coding patterns usually framed in terms of split ergativity (tam- and person-based) and split intransitivity (lexically based) on the other.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Overt coding selectors
    • 2.1Dependent marking
    • 2.2Head marking
  • 3.Behavioral selectors involving coreference
    • 3.1Adverbial clauses
    • 3.2Control and raising
      • Control
      • Raising
  • 4.Other behavioral selectors
    • 4.1Relativization site
    • 4.2Focus constructions
    • 4.3Addressee of imperatives
    • 4.4Voice
  • 5.Conclusions
  • Appendix. Selected Basque auxiliary forms
  • Acknowledgments
  • Abbreviations
  • Notes
  • References
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