Moksha Mordvin resultative and the diachrony of resultative constructions.


2016. №1, 51-75

Alexey A. Kozlov
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation;
Institute of Linguistics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 125009, Russian Federation;
scripturas@mail.ru

Abstract:

The article focuses on the syntax and semantics of Moksha Mordvin resultative participle in -f. The participle can either be used in a bona fide resultative construction, agreeing in person and number with the subject, or head an impersonal clause. In the first case, the participle is formed from telic patientive predicates (in a way imposing prototypically resultative semantics on other kinds of predicates), while in the second case it demands that the predicate be atelic and its subject be animate. Besides, the difference between two particles apak and af, both of which can be used to negate the participle, is considered. For the facts observed a diachronical explanation in terms of Construction Grammar is given.