Orð og tunga - 01.06.2006, Page 52

50 Orð og tunga
The specific component required by each of the constructions is shown
in Figure 4:
CONSTRUCTION COMPONENT REQUIRED
Middle CAUSE, CHANGE
Conative MOTION
Body-part Ascension CONTACT
Figure 4: Conceptual component selections of 3 constructions
Here are the original examples, marked with the relevant conceptual
components:
10. Middle = cause, change
a. The bread cuts easily. = cause, change, contact, mo-
TION
b. Crystal vases break easily. = cause, change
c. *Cats touch easily. = contact
d. "'Door frames hit easily. = contact, motion
11. Conative = motion
e. Margaret cut at the bread. = cause, change, contact,
MOTION
f. *Janet broke at the vase. = cause, citange
g. *Terry touched at the cat. = contact
h. Carla hit at the door. = contact, motion
12. Body part ascension = contact
i. Margaret cut Bill's arm // Margaret cut Bill on the
arm. = cause, change, contact, motion
j. Janet broke Bill's finger // *Janet broke Bill on the
finger. = cause, change
k. Terry touched Bill's shoulder / / Terry touched Bill on
the shoulder. = contact
l. Carla hit Bill's back // Carla hit Bill on the back. =
CONTACT, MOTION
Levin's work is in effect refining the conceptual elements that might
appear in a dictionary entry for a verb - and a dictionary that adopted
such "primitive conceptual vocabulary" for its definitions would pro-
vide an invaluable resource for linguists following up on Levin's work.
Thus, semantic developments in generative grammar have lead to
analyses that allow a fruitful interaction between lexicography and