An argument approach to the passive-reflexive syncretism

Abstract

This internship program project is a crucial component of my current PhD research on the morphology shared by reflexive, anticausative, passive and other sort of constructions (Passive-Reflexive Syncretism). Many works have provided an empirical and theoretical insufficient account to the phenomenon by analysing the syncretic marks as functional categories. In my current research, through the comparison of 30 languages, I have been showing such insufficiencies and developing an alternative analysis, which considers such marks as poor-featured verbal arguments. This part of the research is focused in the consolidation of such analysis, providing the sufficient theoretic and empirical adequacy, through meetings, fieldwork and partnerships at Bogaziçi University (Istanbul). The institution hosts a study group with experience in the description and comparison of Altaic and Caucasian langauges, and also in Generative Theory, which is of crucial contribution for the success of this research project. (AU)