Syntax and Semantics of Ergative and Middle Constructions

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to support Fagan's (1988) claim that middle constructions, like ergative constructions, are lexically generated rather than syntactically derived. Many types of evidence will show that the differences between ergatives and middles are semantic in nature. The first half of this paper will discuss syntactic and semantic characteristics of ergatives and middles, and the remaining half will critically discuss the syntactic approach to middles proposed by Keyser & Roeper (1984, 1992) and Stroik (1992), leading to the conclusion that middle constructions should be approached in terms of semantic distinctions such as genericity and eventiveness.