In this paper I will propose a classification of verbs in Modern
Tibetan, according to the distribution of GIS Case Nouns. In an
ergative language, transitive verbs require their agents to be in the
ergative case, and intransitive verbs their subjects to be in the absolutive
case. In Modern Tibetan, however, some transitive verbs don't require
their agents to take the GIS Case Marker under certain conditions, while
others always do. And some intransitive verbs allow their subjects to
take the GIS Case Marker under certain conditions, while others always
need to be in the Absolutive Case. These conditions are not difficult to
specify; rather it's important to make clear which group each of the
verbs belongs to. Tibetan verbs can be classified into four types according
to the distribution of the GIS Case Noun. In addition, they can be
classified in terms of volitionality, which is not marked on the verb. The
classification by volitionality is secondary, but we have six types of
Tibetan verbs divided in terms of the distribution of GIS Case Nouns
and the volitionality of verbs.
現代チベット語における動詞の分類
KH_017_2_004.pdf
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