5/28/2018 Grammatical Relations and Semantic Roles

1/8

Grammatical Relations

and Semantic RolesArgument structure:a predicate can havea certain number of arguments, each ofwhich bears a distinct semantic role.

Terms: NPs functioning as subject and directobject.Non-terms: NPs not bearing one of thesegrammatical relationsSUBJECT > DIRECT OBJECT > INDIRECT OBJECT >

NON-TERMSThe semantic roleof an NP depends uponthe meaning of the verb it occurs with.

5/28/2018 Grammatical Relations and Semantic Roles

2/8

Semantic Roles

syntactically define the relations betweensubject-predicate-direct object

describe events from a relational

perspective arguments, theta roles, cases, valency

(Fillmore, Chafe, Gruber, Lakoff)

A model of understanding, a theory aboutthe way we categorize experience andcomprehend discourses ( Carlson &Tannenhouse, 1988).

5/28/2018 Grammatical Relations and Semantic Roles

3/8

Inventory of Semantic Roles

agent = is typically animate and normallyinstigates the actions it performs and does sowillfully and intentionally. Some verbs requirethe agent to act intentionally whereas othersallow both intentional and unintentional agents

e.g. a. Tombroke (by accident) the window.b. Grandmamade a delicious apple-pie.

> actor, affecting, forcee.g. c. Mike crossed the street in a hurry.

d. The clownamused the children.e. The windblew the house down.

5/28/2018 Grammatical Relations and Semantic Roles

4/8

patient= is either in a state or conditionor undergoes a change of state or

conditione.g.a. The fox is dead. (state)

b. The fox died. (change of state)

c. The dog bit the old man.d. The manager fired the accountant.

e. The arrow hit the apple.

f. The opera delights Mary.Patient arguments typically occur with verbs like

kill, smash, break, crush, wash,and destroy

> undergoer, object, affected

5/28/2018 Grammatical Relations and Semantic Roles

5/8

5/28/2018 Grammatical Relations and Semantic Roles

6/8

experiencer= the individual who feels orperceives the event or action

e.g. a. Susan surprised uswith her latecoming.

b. The girl saw a seagull in thedistance.

c. Heloves his Dalmatian. beneficiary/benefective =the

individual who takes advantage of the

action expressed by the verb and initiatedby the agente.g. a. The teacher congratulated his

students.

b. Jake gave Dorisa bunch of roses.

5/28/2018 Grammatical Relations and Semantic Roles

7/8

location=source= path

= goal

e.g. a. The bus leaves from Sinaia.

b. The train goes to Londontwice a week.

c. The coach will reach Vienna via Budapest.

d. The water sprang from the pipe.

instrument= the object with which the actionis performed

e.g. a. This key will open the door.

b. I was impressed by his words.

c. He hit the table with a stick.

5/28/2018 Grammatical Relations and Semantic Roles

8/8

EXERCISES1. Analyze the following sentences in terms of

semantic roles, according to the model:e.g.Johnbroke the windowwith a hammer.

break < agent, patient, instrument>a. Mother taught her children scrabble .b. Eduard offered her a beautiful necklace.c. My deskmate gave me his pen.d. Our neighbours have decorated their house.

e. Tom saw the painting.f. Harry showed the painting to Tom.g. The ship went to Casablanca.h. The shark sank the boat.