The Semantic-Syntax Interface

  • subjects are usually the doers
  • verbs contain info on the semantic / theta roles of entities (referential NPs and PPs in a sentence)
  • Agent: instigator of the verbal action
    • NP is generally human or sentient / conscious
    • NP acts with intent
    • NP performs a verbal action with a physical, visible effect
  • Actor: (causer, effector) similar to agent role but has no deliberation. unintentionally
  • Force: entity that instigates a verbal action but is inanimate and is not performing the action voluntarily or deliberately.
  • Instrument: entity that instigates an action indirectly. inanimate entity which is construed as being manipulated by a backgrounded agent
  • Experiencer: entity which neither controls nor is visibly affected by an action
    • have to be animate (conscious, sentient)
    • generally pertains to sensory impressions
    • psych verbs: felt, smelt, realized, tasted…
    • experiencer has no control
  • Patient: entities that undergo a physical, manifest change in state because of the verbal action
    • hard to define. usually defined by absence of other semantic properties
  • Theme: moved or located by the verbal action, but there is no change of state. non animate [- animate]
    • created theme: entity comes into experience by the verbal action
  • Stimulus: entity that causes an effect like one felt by the experiencer
  • Roles that correspond to propositional sentences
    • beneficiary: benefitted from the action
    • recipient: x gives y to z
    • location
  • All semantic roles for NPs are related on a continuum from active to passive roles