Properties of Events Expressed by Serial Verb Constructions in Thai Kingkarn Thepkanjana Chulalongkorn University.

Properties of Event Properties of Event s Expressed by Seri s Expressed by Seri al Verb Constructio al Verb Constructio

ns in Thai ns in Thai

Kingkarn Thepkanj Kingkarn Thepkanjanaana

Chulalongkorn Uni Chulalongkorn Universityversity

What are serial verb const What are serial verb const ructions (SVCs)? ructions (SVCs)?

Broad definition: A type of constructi Broad definition: A type of constructi on in which two or more verbs (verb on in which two or more verbs (verb

phrases) are put in juxtaposition with phrases) are put in juxtaposition with out any linker. out any linker.

ExamplesExamples

1( ) 1( ) khakhaw takoon tw takoon tpp he shout answer he shout answer

‘‘ He answered by shouting.’ He answered by shouting.’

(2) (2) khakhaw cuw cut but buririi i susuupup he lit cigarette smoke he lit cigarette smoke

‘‘ He lit a cigarette to smoke.’ He lit a cigarette to smoke.’

(3) (3) khakhaw yiw yiap klap kl b bnn he step on box flat he step on box flat

‘‘ He stepped on a box and it became flat.’ He stepped on a box and it became flat.’

4( ) 4( ) khakhaw yw yn rn rphleephlee he stand sing he stand sing

‘‘ He stood singing.’ He stood singing.’

(5) (5) khakhaw yaak pay mw yaak pay maann kk he want go abroad he want go abroad

‘‘ He wanted to go abroad.’ He wanted to go abroad.’

(6) (6) khakhaw rəəm tham kaanbaanw rəəm tham kaanbaan he began do homework he began do homework

‘‘ He began to do homework.’ He began to do homework.’

7( ) 7( ) khakha w sa w sa k s k s a sa a sa?a?aatat he wash shirt clean he wash shirt clean

‘ ‘ He washed a shirt and it became clean.’ He washed a shirt and it became clean.’

(8) (8) khaw kin khaaw yuu khaw kin khaaw yuu he eat rice he eat rice live, be located (durati live, be located (durati

ve asp ve asp..)) ‘ ‘ He is eating.’ He is eating.’

(9) (9) khawkhaw khit waa khaw tham thuuk khit waa khaw tham thuuk he think say (comp) he do righ he think say (comp) he do righ

tt

‘ ‘ He thought he did the right thing.’ He thought he did the right thing.’

10( ) 10( ) khaw may day pay khaw may day pay he not get (past tense) go he not get (past tense) go

‘ ‘ He did not go.’ He did not go.’

11( ) 11( ) khaw pay may day khaw pay may day hh e go not get (able) e go not get (able)

‘ ‘ He can’t go.’ He can’t go.’

12( ) 12( ) khaw thuuk khaw thuuk rot ch rot chonon

he come into contact with (passive) ca he come into contact with (passive) ca r hit r hit

‘ ‘ He got hit by a car.’ He got hit by a car.’

13( ) 13( ) khaw khap rot hay c khaw khap rot hay chanhan

he drive car he drive car give (benefacti give (benefacti ve) I ve) I

‘ ‘ He drove the car for me.’ He drove the car for me.’

SVCs in Thai are not a unified phen SVCs in Thai are not a unified phenomenon.omenon.

Major types of SVCs Major types of SVCs

1.1. SVCs with grammaticalize SVCs with grammaticalized/d/

nongrammaticalized serial nongrammaticalized serialverbsverbs

Nongrammaticalized vs g Nongrammaticalized vs g rammaticalized SVCs rammaticalized SVCs

Nongrammaticalized SVCs Nongrammaticalized SVCs = SVCs in which all verbs ha = SVCs in which all verbs ha ve full lexical meanings. ve full lexical meanings.

Grammaticalized SVCs = SV Grammaticalized SVCs = SV Cs in which one verb is gram Cs in which one verb is gram

maticalized.maticalized.

Examples of grammaticalize Examples of grammaticalize d verbs in SVCs d verbs in SVCs

VerbsVerbs lexical meanings lexical meanings grammatical fu grammatical functionnction

yuuyuu live, be located at live, be located at durative aspect durative aspectmarkemarke

waawaa saysay complementizercomplementizer

dayday getget past tense marker, able past tense marker, able

thuukthuuk come into contact passive marker come into contact passive marker

withwith

hayhay givegive benefactive marker benefactive marker

Examples of grammaticalized serial Examples of grammaticalized serialverbsverbs

14( ) 14( ) khaw kin khaaw khaw kin khaaw yuuyuu he eat rice live, be located (durative a he eat rice live, be located (durative a

)) ‘ ‘ He is eating.’ He is eating.’

15( ) 15( ) khaw khit khaw khit waawaa khaw tham thuuk khaw tham thuuk he think say (comp) he do right he think say (comp) he do right

‘ ‘ He thought he did the right thing.’ He thought he did the right thing.’

16( ) 16( ) khaw may khaw may dayday pay pay he not get (past tense) go he not get (past tense) go

‘ ‘ He did not go.’ He did not go.’

Major types of SVCs Major types of SVCs

2.2. -SVCs with complement -SVCs with complement taking taking

verbsverbs / noncomplement- / noncomplement-taking verbstaking verbs

- Complement taking verbs- Complement taking verbs = =

verbs which are not semanti verbs which are not semanticallycally

complete in themselves complete in themselves,,

such as such as yaakyaak ‘want’, ‘want’, rə�əmrə�əm ‘b‘begin’egin’

- - Non complement taking verbs- - Non complement taking verbs = =

verbs which do not need other verbs which do not need other

verbs to complete their meanin verbs to complete their meanin gs, gs,

such as such as yynn ‘stand’, ‘stand’, takoontakoon ‘sho‘shout’ut’

ExampleExample of SVC of SVCss with with complement-taking verbscomplement-taking verbs

17( ) 17( ) khakha w yaak pay m w yaak pay maŋnaŋn ��kk

he he want go abroad want go abroad

‘ ‘ He wanted to go abroad.’ He wanted to go abroad.’

18( ) 18( ) khakha w rə�əm tham kaanb w rə�əm tham kaanbaanaan

he he began do homewo began do homeworkrk

‘ ‘ He began to do homework.’ He began to do homework.’

Major types of SVCsMajor types of SVCs

3.3. Basic vs nonbasic SVCsBasic vs nonbasic SVCs

Basic SVCs = SVCs with two verbs Basic SVCs = SVCs with two verbs or or

verb phrasesverb phrases

Nonbasic SVCs = SVCs with Nonbasic SVCs = SVCs with embedded embedded

basic SVCsbasic SVCs

Objectives of the Objectives of the studystudy

Examine the properties of Examine the properties of events expressed by SVCs in events expressed by SVCs in Thai. Thai.

Compare and contrast SVCs Compare and contrast SVCs with their semantically with their semantically related but syntactically related but syntactically different constructions. different constructions.

Scope of the studyScope of the study

Nongrammaticalized, Nongrammaticalized, non- non-complement-taking, complement-taking, basic types of SVCs.basic types of SVCs.

Semantic classification Semantic classification of SVCsof SVCs

1.Manner SVCs1.Manner SVCsThe first verb expresses the The first verb expresses the manner of performing an manner of performing an action denoted by the second action denoted by the second verb.verb.

(19) (19) khakhaw kwaw kwak mk m ri riak chaak chann he wave hand call he wave hand call I I

‘ ‘He called me by waving his hand.’He called me by waving his hand.’

(20) (20) khakhaw phayaw phayaknaknaa hea hendunduayay

he nod agreehe nod agree

‘ ‘He agreed by nodding.’He agreed by nodding.’

2.Sequential SVCs2.Sequential SVCsThe serial verbs express a The serial verbs express a sequence of actions. sequence of actions.

(21) (21) khakhaw cuw cut but buririi sui suupup he lit cigarette he lit cigarette smokesmoke ‘ ‘He lit a cigarette to smoke.’He lit a cigarette to smoke.’

(22) (22) khakhaw yiw yip khanop khanompampa kinkin he grab, pick up bread he grab, pick up bread eateat ‘ ‘He picked up a piece of bread to eat.’He picked up a piece of bread to eat.’

3.Resultative SVCs3.Resultative SVCsThe serial verbs express a The serial verbs express a causing action and a resulting causing action and a resulting event.event.

(23) (23) khakhaw paa kw paa kw tw tkk he throw glass brokenhe throw glass broken

‘ ‘He threw a glass and it became broken.’He threw a glass and it became broken.’

(24) (24) khakhaw yiw yiap klap kl b bnn he step on box flathe step on box flat

‘ ‘He stepped on a box and it became flat.’He stepped on a box and it became flat.’

4.Posture SVCs4.Posture SVCs

The first verb expresses a The first verb expresses a posture of the body while posture of the body while the same subject of the verb the same subject of the verb is performing an action. is performing an action.

(25) (25) khakhaw naw na a aan naan nass

he sit read bookhe sit read book

‘ ‘He sat reading a book.’He sat reading a book.’

(26) (26) khakhaw yw yn rn rphleephlee

he stand singhe stand sing

‘ ‘He stood singing.’He stood singing.’

5.Directional SVCs5.Directional SVCs

The serial verbs express directions The serial verbs express directions of a single path. The notions of of a single path. The notions of basic and nonbasic SVCs do not basic and nonbasic SVCs do not apply.apply.(27) (27) khakhaw dəən w dəən k payk pay

he walk exit gohe walk exit go

‘ ‘He walked out and away.’He walked out and away.’

(28) (28) khakhaw dəən troŋ yw dəən troŋ y n klap n klap k payk pay

he walk go straight reverse return exit he walk go straight reverse return exit go go

‘ ‘He walked straight out away to this starting He walked straight out away to this starting point.’point.’

Properties of events of Properties of events of the five semantic types the five semantic types

of SVCsof SVCs

1. Manner SVCs1. Manner SVCs(29) (29) khakhaw kwaw kwak mk m ri riak chaak chann he wave hand call he wave hand call

I I

‘ ‘He called me by waving his hand.’He called me by waving his hand.’

(30) (30) khakhaw phayaw phayaknaknaa hea hendunduayay

he nod agreehe nod agree

‘ ‘He agreed by nodding.’He agreed by nodding.’

(31) (31) khaw takoon tɔɔpkhaw takoon tɔɔp

he shout answerhe shout answer

‘ ‘He answered by shouting.’He answered by shouting.’

The first verb expresses The first verb expresses the manner of performing the manner of performing an action denoted by the an action denoted by the second verb.second verb.

This type of SVC consists of This type of SVC consists of “primary action” verb + “primary action” verb + “non-primary action” verb.“non-primary action” verb.

Primary action verbs are verbs Primary action verbs are verbs which denote events which are which denote events which are carried out by an exact physical carried out by an exact physical means and manner, such as means and manner, such as ddnn ‘walk,’ ‘walk,’ proprop (mp (m)) ‘clap (hands),’ ‘clap (hands),’ nana ‘sit,’ ‘sit,’ yyn n ‘‘stand,’stand,’ phe phe ‘gaze’, ‘gaze’, kinkin ‘eat’.‘eat’.

Non-primary verbs are vague as Non-primary verbs are vague as to the means and manner of to the means and manner of carrying out the actions carrying out the actions expressed by them, such as expressed by them, such as pay pay ‘go,’ ‘go,’ maa maa ‘come,’ ‘come,’ ririipip ‘hurry,’ ‘hurry,’ ffkk ‘practice,’ ‘practice,’ klkl ‘pretend,’ ‘pretend,’ khkhitit ‘think,’ ‘think,’ wwikhrikhr?? ‘analyze. ‘analyze.

The first verb expresses the exact The first verb expresses the exact physical means and manner of physical means and manner of carrying out the action expressed carrying out the action expressed by the second verb.by the second verb.

The actions indicated by the two The actions indicated by the two verbs were performed by the verbs were performed by the same agent, and took place at the same agent, and took place at the same place and time but referred same place and time but referred to different aspects of the same to different aspects of the same “objective” event.“objective” event.

This type of SVC expresses This type of SVC expresses multiple “event-facets” which are multiple “event-facets” which are not separable from one another.not separable from one another.

They are overlaid to form a They are overlaid to form a detailed description of a single detailed description of a single objective event. objective event.

The first action is considered the The first action is considered the means/manner of performing the means/manner of performing the second action. second action.

At the same time, the second At the same time, the second action is considered the goal of action is considered the goal of performing the first action.performing the first action.

Comparison with monoverbal Comparison with monoverbal sentences with prepositional sentences with prepositional phrases indicating means and phrases indicating means and manner.manner.

(32) (32) khakhaw riw riak chaak chan dooy kaan kwan dooy kaan kwak mk m he call I by nominalizer wave handhe call I by nominalizer wave hand

‘ ‘He called me by waving his hand.’He called me by waving his hand.’(33) (33) khakhaw hew hendunduay dooy kaan phayaay dooy kaan phayaknaknaaa he agree by nominalizer nodhe agree by nominalizer nod ‘ ‘He agreed by nodding his head.’He agreed by nodding his head.’(34) (34) khaw tɔɔp dooy kaan takoonkhaw tɔɔp dooy kaan takoon he answer by nominalizer shouthe answer by nominalizer shout

‘ ‘He answered by shouting.’He answered by shouting.’

Comparison with sentences with Comparison with sentences with purposive clausespurposive clauses (35) (35) khakhaw kwaw kwak mk m ph ph a ria riak chaak chann he wave hand in order to call Ihe wave hand in order to call I

‘ ‘He waved hand in order to call me.’He waved hand in order to call me.’

(36) (36) khakhaw phayaw phayaknaknaa pha ph a hea hendunduayay

he nod in order to agreehe nod in order to agree

‘ ‘He nodded in order to agree.’He nodded in order to agree.’

(37) (37) khaw takoon phkhaw takoon ph aa tɔɔp tɔɔp

he shout in order to answerhe shout in order to answer

‘ ‘He shouted in order to answer.’He shouted in order to answer.’

What happens?What happens?

The new sentences are grammatical The new sentences are grammatical but sound awkward.but sound awkward.

Reason: The two verbs which express Reason: The two verbs which express closely related actions and which closely related actions and which constitute prototypical scenes in the constitute prototypical scenes in the real world are split and connected by a real world are split and connected by a preposition or a purposive preposition or a purposive subordinator.subordinator.

What happens?What happens? The constructions with The constructions with dooydooy ‘by’ and ‘by’ and

phph aa ‘in order to’ explicitly express ‘in order to’ explicitly express the means/manner and the purpose in the means/manner and the purpose in performing an action, respectively.performing an action, respectively.

They are not normally used to connect They are not normally used to connect two closely related actions which two closely related actions which constitute a prototypical scene in the constitute a prototypical scene in the real world.real world.

This means there must be something This means there must be something special about events expressed by SVCs.special about events expressed by SVCs.

2. Sequential SVCs2. Sequential SVCs(38) (38) khakhaw cuw cut but buririi sui suupup

he lit cigarette smokehe lit cigarette smoke

‘ ‘He lit a cigarette to smoke.’He lit a cigarette to smoke.’

(39) (39) khakhaw yiw yip khanop khanompampa kin kin

he grab, pick up bread he grab, pick up bread eateat

‘ ‘He picked up a piece of bread to eat.’He picked up a piece of bread to eat.’

(40) (40) khaw thɔɔt plaa kinkhaw thɔɔt plaa kin

he fry fish eathe fry fish eat

‘ ‘He fried fish to eat.’He fried fish to eat.’

This type of SVC consists of two This type of SVC consists of two primary action verbs. They are not primary action verbs. They are not vague as to the means and manner of vague as to the means and manner of carrying out the actions indicated by carrying out the actions indicated by them.them.

The two verbs express two physical The two verbs express two physical actions performed by the same agent.actions performed by the same agent.

The two actions occur in close The two actions occur in close sequence without a noticeable time sequence without a noticeable time span in between.span in between.

The second actions are typically The second actions are typically interpreted as the purpose of interpreted as the purpose of carrying out the first actions.carrying out the first actions.

The two actions are considered The two actions are considered two subevents which constitute a two subevents which constitute a single complex event because they single complex event because they were performed by the same were performed by the same agent, are interpreted as an agent, are interpreted as an action-purpose sequence of events, action-purpose sequence of events, and occurred at more or less the and occurred at more or less the same time and place.same time and place.

Comparison with the coordinated Comparison with the coordinated construction containing the construction containing the conjunction conjunction lææw klææw k ‘and then’.‘and then’.(41) (41) khakhaw cuw cut but buririi i lææwklææwk su suupup

he lit cigarette and then smokehe lit cigarette and then smoke

‘ ‘He lit a cigarette and then smoked.’He lit a cigarette and then smoked.’

(42) (42) khakhaw yiw yip khanop khanompampa lææwklææwk kin kin

he grab, pick up bread and then eathe grab, pick up bread and then eat

‘ ‘He picked up a piece of bread and then ate.’He picked up a piece of bread and then ate.’

(43) (43) khaw thɔɔt plaa khaw thɔɔt plaa lææwklææwk kin kin

he fry fish and then eathe fry fish and then eat

‘ ‘He fried fish and then ate.’He fried fish and then ate.’

What happens?What happens? In the coordinate constructions, the In the coordinate constructions, the

two events do not necessarily happen two events do not necessarily happen right after each other. There may be right after each other. There may be a time span between the two events. a time span between the two events. They may happen at different times They may happen at different times and places.and places.

The two events are perceived to be The two events are perceived to be independent from each other. independent from each other.

The sense of purpose is not implied.The sense of purpose is not implied.

3. Resultative SVCs3. Resultative SVCs(44) (44) khakhaw paa kw paa kw tw tkk he throw glass brokenhe throw glass broken

‘ ‘He threw a glass and it became broken.’He threw a glass and it became broken.’

(45) (45) khakhaw yiw yiap klap kl b bnn he step on box flathe step on box flat

‘ ‘He stepped on a box and it became flat.’He stepped on a box and it became flat.’

(46) (46) phuuraay khaa tamruat taayphuuraay khaa tamruat taay

criminal kill police criminal kill police die/dead die/dead

‘ ‘The criminal killed the police (dead).’The criminal killed the police (dead).’

The two verbs express two The two verbs express two subevents occurring in close subevents occurring in close sequence without any noticeable sequence without any noticeable time span between them.time span between them.

The first subevent is interpreted The first subevent is interpreted as a causing action whereas the as a causing action whereas the second one is interpreted as second one is interpreted as either a process or a resulting either a process or a resulting state of an entity affected by the state of an entity affected by the causing action. causing action.

This type of SVC is interpreted as a This type of SVC is interpreted as a cause-result sequence of events cause-result sequence of events occurring right after each other at occurring right after each other at the same place.the same place.

The two subevents constitute a The two subevents constitute a single complex event.single complex event.

46In ( ), verb serialization serves to 46In ( ), verb serialization serves toccccccc ccc ccccccccccc cc ccc ccccccccc cccccccccc ccc ccccccccccc cc ccc ccccccccc ccc ccccc cc cccccccccccc cccccccc cc ccc , ccccc cc cccccccccccc cccccccc cc ccc , causingverb. causingverb.

Comparison with the semantically Comparison with the semantically related subordinate construction related subordinate construction containing the subordinator containing the subordinator

conkrathaŋconkrathaŋ ‘until, to the extent that’ ‘until, to the extent that’ (47)(47)??khakhaw paa kw paa kw w conkrathaŋconkrathaŋ t tkk he throw glass until, to the extent that brokenhe throw glass until, to the extent that broken

‘ ‘He threw a glass until it was broken.’He threw a glass until it was broken.’

(48)(48)??khakhaw yiw yiap klap kl conkrathaŋconkrathaŋ b bnn he step on box until, to the extent that flathe step on box until, to the extent that flat

‘ ‘He stepped on a box until it was flat.’He stepped on a box until it was flat.’

(49)(49)**phuuraay khaa tamruat phuuraay khaa tamruat conkrathaŋconkrathaŋ taay taay

criminal kill police until, to the extent that criminal kill police until, to the extent that die/dead die/dead

‘ ‘The criminal killed the police until he was dead.’The criminal killed the police until he was dead.’

What happens? What happens? 49Sentence ( ) is ungrammatical. 49Sentence ( ) is ungrammatical.

47Sentence ( ) implies that the subj 47Sentence ( ) implies that the subjccc cccc cccccccc c ccccc ccccc cc ccc ccc cccc cccccccc c ccccc ccccc cc ccc broken. broken.

48Sentence ( ) implies that the subj 48Sentence ( ) implies that the subj ectkept st eppi ng on a box unt i l i t wa ectkept st eppi ng on a box unt i l i t wa ccccc. ccccc.

ccc ccccccc cc ccc ccc ccccccccc ccccccc ccccccc cc ccc ccc ccccccccc cccc esf romt he unl i kel i hood of t hose ev esf romt he unl i kel i hood of t hose ev entst o t ake pl ace i n t he real worl d. entst o t ake pl ace i n t he real worl d.

What happens? What happens?

The construction with The construction withconkrathaconkrathaŋŋ ‘until, totheextentt hat ’ i mpl i es t ha ‘until, totheextentt hat ’ i mpl i es t ha ttheagent perf orms an act i on repe ttheagent perf orms an act i on repe atedly, intensivelyor l ong unt i l anot her event t atedly, intensivelyor l ong unt i l anot her event t akespl ace. akespl ace.

In (4 7 ) and (4 8 ), the resultin In (4 7 ) and (4 8 ), the resultin g event s are not percei ved as e g event s are not percei ved as e

xpect ed event s of t he causi ng xpect ed event s of t he causi ngonesones . .

4.Posture SVCs4.Posture SVCs

(50)(50) khakha w na w na a a an na an nass

he sit read book he sit read book

‘ ‘ He sat reading a book.’ He sat reading a book.’

(51) (51) khakha w y w y n r n rphleephlee he stand he stand singsing

‘‘ He stood singing.’ He stood singing.’

(52) (52) khakha w nɔɔn faŋ witthayu? w nɔɔn faŋ witthayu? he lie listen to radio he lie listen to radio

‘ ‘ He lay listening to the radio.’ He lay listening to the radio.’

In this type of SVC, a person perfo In this type of SVC, a person perfo rms an action denoted by the seco rms an action denoted by the seco

nd verb while being in a certain p nd verb while being in a certain posture.osture.

The two subevents are performed The two subevents are performed by the same agent and happen at t by the same agent and happen at t he same time and place. he same time and place.

This type of SVC expresses multip This type of SVC expresses multip - le event facets which provide a de - le event facets which provide a de

tailed description of one event. tailed description of one event.

Comparison with the semantically r Comparison with the semantically r elated coordinate construction con elated coordinate construction con

taining the conjunction taining the conjunction læ?læ? ‘and’ ‘and’ (53)(53) khakha w na w na læ?læ? aa an na an nass

he sit and he sit and read book read book ‘ ‘ He sat and read a book.’ He sat and read a book.’(54)(54) khakha w y w y n n læ?læ? r rphleephlee

he stand and he stand and singsing ‘ ‘ He stood and sang.’ He stood and sang.’(55)(55) khakha w nɔɔn w nɔɔn læ?læ?

faŋ witthayu? faŋ witthayu? he lie and he lie and listen to radio listen to radio

‘ ‘He lay and listened to the radio.He lay and listened to the radio.

What happens? What happens?

The coordinate construction sug The coordinate construction sug gests that there are two events w gests that there are two events w

hich may not take place at the sa hich may not take place at the sa me time and place. me time and place.

5.5. Directional SVCs Directional SVCs

(56)(56) khaw dəən troŋ y khaw dəən troŋ y n klap kh n klap kh �n pay �n pay

he walk go straight reverse return ascend go he walk go straight reverse return ascend go

‘ ‘ He walked away straight back up the slope.’ He walked away straight back up the slope.’

(57)(57) khaw wiŋ khaw wiŋ �� m klap m klap k maa k maa he run make a detour return exit come he run make a detour return exit come

‘ ‘ He ran back out taking a detour towards the He ran back out taking a detour towards the

speaker.’speaker.’

The notion of basic SVC is not applica The notion of basic SVC is not applica ble to this type of SVC. ble to this type of SVC.

There may There may be be twot o fi ve verbs i n t he c twot o fi ve verbs i n t he c onstructional l of whi ch express di ff erent di r onstructional l of whi ch express di ff erent di r ectionsof a si ngl e pat h of a mot i on. ectionsof a si ngl e pat h of a mot i on.

The directions of a single path are des The directions of a single path are des cribed from different perspectives. cribed from different perspectives.

The verbs in this type of SVC must ob The verbs in this type of SVC must ob ey a constraint on linear order in orde ey a constraint on linear order in orde

r to express directions of a single pat r to express directions of a single path.h.

Comparison with the semantically r Comparison with the semantically r elated coordinate construction con elated coordinate construction con

taining the conjunction taining the conjunction læ?læ? ‘and’ ‘and’

(58)(58) ?? khaw dəən khaw dəən læ?læ? klap klap he walk and return he walk and return

(59)(59) ?? khaw wiŋ khaw wiŋ læ?læ? maa maa hh e run and come e run and come

What happens? What happens?

The coordinate sentences sound The coordinate sentences soundodd.odd.

They could be acceptable in cert They could be acceptable in cert ain contexts. In that case, the tw ain contexts. In that case, the tw

o verbs express two motions, and o verbs express two motions, and consequently, two paths. consequently, two paths.

SummarySummary SVCs can code two “subevents” w SVCs can code two “subevents” w

hich are performed by the same a hich are performed by the same a gent, and occur simultaneously. ( gent, and occur simultaneously. (

Manner SVCs, posture SVCs, direc Manner SVCs, posture SVCs, direc tional SVCs) tional SVCs)

The two verbs in these SVCs ex The two verbs in these SVCs ex - press “events facets” which are - press “events facets” which are

not separable from one another. not separable from one another. These SVCs provide a detailed d These SVCs provide a detailed d

escriptionof a si ngl e event . escriptionof a si ngl e event .

SummarySummary

SVCs can code two “subevents” w SVCs can code two “subevents” w hich occur in sequence without an hich occur in sequence without an

interveningtimespan. ( interveningtimespan. ( SequentialSequential SVCs, result SVCs, result ative SVCs). ative SVCs).

The second event constitutes an The second event constitutes an expected consequence or result expected consequence or result

of the first one. of the first one.

SummarySummary

Alternative ways of describing simil Alternative ways of describing simil ar situations: ar situations:

Serial verb constructions Serial verb constructions Coordinate constructions Coordinate constructions Subordinate constructions Subordinate constructions Constructions with prepositional p Constructions with prepositional p

hrases indicating means and man hrases indicating means and manner.ner.

SummarySummary

SVCs seem to assign an additional SVCs seem to assign an additional meaning. The events coded by SVC meaning. The events coded by SVC

s are more s are more fusedfused than those coded than those coded by the alternative constructions. by the alternative constructions.

The fusion of events by SVCs gives The fusion of events by SVCs gives rise to the conceptualization that t rise to the conceptualization that t

he events constitute a complex he events constitute a complex, , elaborateelaborate but relatively undifferent but relatively undifferent

iated whole. iated whole.

CC ondition for that conceptuali ondition for that conceptualizationzation

The condition on semantic and pragm The condition on semantic and pragm atic associations between serial verbs: atic associations between serial verbs: SVCs must consist of verbs which are seman SVCs must consist of verbs which are seman tically and pragmatically associated in the fo tically and pragmatically associated in the fo

llowing ways. llowing ways.

1. 1. The serial verbs must express scenes w The serial verbs must express scenes w hich are possible to take place in the real hich are possible to take place in the real

world.world.

2. 2. The possible scenes must be prototypic The possible scenes must be prototypic al or conventionalized in the real world. al or conventionalized in the real world.

ObservationsObservations

The prototypicality and The prototypicality and conventionality of scenes are conventionality of scenes are culturally bound.culturally bound.

The scenes must be prototypical and The scenes must be prototypical and conventional in the native speaker’s conventional in the native speaker’s real world.real world.

- Examples of ill formed SVCs - Examples of ill formed SVCs , which violate this conditio , which violate this conditionn(60)(60) * * khakha w yo w yo k m k m kh khpkhunpkhun

he raise hands thank he raise hands thank

(61)(61) * * khakha w phaya w phayaknakna a laa a laa he nod bid farewell he nod bid farewell

In(60) and(61), thefi rst verbs do not express co In(60) and(61), thefi rst verbs do not express co nventional means and manner in perform nventional means and manner in perform

ing the actions indicated by the second ve ing the actions indicated by the second verbs.rbs.

(62)(62) **khakha w kwa w kwa k m k m fa fa a fayd a fayd

he wave hands violate red he wave hands violate redlightlight

(63) (63) **khakhaw khaw khap p rorot rit riakak

hehe drive car call drive car call

In (62) and (63), we cannot conceive In (62) and (63), we cannot conceive of the situations in which the actions of the situations in which the actions

expressed by the first and the second expressed by the first and the second verbs are performed simultaneously. verbs are performed simultaneously.

(64)(64) * * khakha w pi w pi plaa kl plaa kl n n he grill fish swallow he grill fish swallow

(65)(65) * * khakha w sa w sa k pha k pha a ri a riitit he wash clothes iron he wash clothes iron

Sentences (64) and (65) express pl Sentences (64) and (65) express pl ausible sequences of events but th ausible sequences of events but th

e events did not occur right after e e events did not occur right after e ach other. ach other.

(66)(66) * * khakha w ye w ye p s p s a ha a hayyyymm he sew shirt lend he sew shirt lend

(67)(67) * * khakha w cu w cu t bu t buriri i thi i thi he light cigarette throw he light cigarette throw away away

Sentences (66) and (67) do not express Sentences (66) and (67) do not express

conventionalized scenes or prototypica conventionalized scenes or prototypica l sequences of events in the real world. l sequences of events in the real world.

(68)(68) * * khakha w hu w hu kha kha aw d aw datat he cook rice boil he cook rice boil

(69)(69) * * khakha w chi w chi ik kra ik kradada at ya at yapp he tear paper wrinkled he tear paper wrinkled

- Sentences (68) (69) do not express conve - Sentences (68) (69) do not express conve ntionalized sequences of causing and resu ntionalized sequences of causing and resu

lting events. lting events. - The sequences of events in (68) (69) are p - The sequences of events in (68) (69) are p

ractically not possible to take place. ractically not possible to take place.

(70) (70) * * khakhaww d d n la n lapp he walk fall asleep he walk fall asleep

(71)(71) * * khakha w n w n n khi n khi i ca i cakkayaankkayaan he sleep ride bicycle he sleep ride bicycle

- The sequences of events in (70) (71) are p - The sequences of events in (70) (71) are p ractically impossible to perform simultane ractically impossible to perform simultane

ously by the same person. ously by the same person. It is impossible for the two events to take It is impossible for the two events to take

place simultaneously in the real world. place simultaneously in the real world.

The conceptualization of the even The conceptualization of the even - ts in (6 0 ) (7 1 ) as a complex, - ts in (6 0 ) (7 1 ) as a complex,

elaborate, elaborate, undifferentiated whole i undifferentiated whole i s not possible because the SVCs in s not possible because the SVCs in

- (6 0 ) (7 1 ) violates the conditio- (6 0 ) (7 1 ) violates the conditio non semant i c and pragmat i c asso non semant i c and pragmat i c asso ciationsbet ween seri al verbs. ciationsbet ween seri al verbs.

ConclusionConclusion

SVCs are different from the other SVCs are different from the other alternative constructions (coordinate alternative constructions (coordinate constructions, subordinate constructions, subordinate constructions, constructions with constructions, constructions with PPs indicating means and manner) PPs indicating means and manner) in that SVCs are used to encode in that SVCs are used to encode complex, elaborate events which are complex, elaborate events which are conceptualized as a fused and conceptualized as a fused and undifferentiated whole.undifferentiated whole.

ConclusionConclusion

The events encoded by SVCs are The events encoded by SVCs are complex and elaborate in two ways.complex and elaborate in two ways. The subevents are performed by the The subevents are performed by the

same agent and occur simultaneously. same agent and occur simultaneously. They represent “event-facets” of a They represent “event-facets” of a single “objective” event.single “objective” event.

The subevents occur at the same place The subevents occur at the same place and in sequence without a noticeable and in sequence without a noticeable time span in betweentime span in between

ConclusionConclusion

The conceptualization of the events in The conceptualization of the events in SVCs as a complex but undifferentiated SVCs as a complex but undifferentiated whole requires that SVCs obey the whole requires that SVCs obey the condition on semantic and pragmatic condition on semantic and pragmatic associations between serial verbs. associations between serial verbs. The serial verbs must express possible The serial verbs must express possible

scenes in the real world.scenes in the real world. The possible scenes must be prototypical The possible scenes must be prototypical

or conventionalized in the native speaker’s or conventionalized in the native speaker’s real world.real world.

THE ENDTHE END

Thank you for your Thank you for your attention.attention.