Causative Constructions in Modern Persian

Abstract

This article is a conceptual exploration of causative constructions in Modern Persian. Based on a typology of causative constructions proposed by Song (1996), Persian causatives are surveyed in both formal and functional terms. The data are then exploited in order to shed further light on the cognitive basis of causativity, and to recast Song's formulation of causative types in more solid cognitive terms drawn from Talmy's (1985, 1988, 2000) force-dynamic account of causation. A tentative account of the grammaticisation of factual/nonfactual causation in Persian concludes the discussion.