1(2)2016+.pdf


Analytic Causative 
Constructions in English

(Viewed in the Light of 
Cognitive Semantics)

The subject of our analysis is causative constructionsof John made Jack run type, in which the relation
between the nominative part (John) and the verb (made) is
considered to be primary predication, while the relation
between Jack and run secondary predication. Though both the
predicative links take a two-sided direction, they are not
identical syntactically: the first predication constitutes the
nucleus of the sentence, whereas the same cannot be said
about the second syntactic bond. On the other hand, the
secondary participant of the situation occupies a more
privileged syntactic position, thus reducing the status of the
nucleus subject to that of the benefactive, instrumental, etc.
(Plungyan, 210). This kind of approach prompts us to look at
the nature of causative verbs in the light of cognitive
semantics. As is known, cognitive linguistics implies that
language uses not only linguistic, but also extralinguistic
factors to interpret language facts such as our perception of
reality, the links between objects and phenomena, etc. When
describing analytic causative constructions from the point of
cognitive semantics, we will make use of the theory of force
dynamics suggested by L.Talmy. This theory was successfully
applied by the author in his description of English modal
verbs. L.Talmy introduced the concepts of Agonist and

Antagonist while analyzing this class of verbs from the semantic point of view (Talmy,
2-79). Thus, in the sentence You must go you is used as the Agonist, i.e. the agent of the
action (go). The Antagonist is present only implicitly: it is the speaker in the referent
situation, who induces the Agonist to act in this or that way.

Transferring this theory into the sphere of analytic causative constructions, we will
view the subject of primary predication as the Antagonist (Ant), i.e. the inducer of the
action expressed by the causative verb (Vc), while the Agonist (Ag) is the subject of
secondary predication, i.e. the agent of the action expressed by the resultative verb (Vr).

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Armenian Folia Anglistika Linguistics

Yelena Mkhitaryan 

Sophie Sarkissyan