Linguistics 322

Exercises

Exercise 8:

• Identify the theta role of each NP or PP in the following sentences. Be sure to read all of the file on theta roles before you answer these:

(1)    The table is hard.

table = theme.

(2)    Mary is (feels) warm.

Mary = theme (or)

Mary = experiencer.

(3)    Ellen threw a frying-pan at Jordan.

Ellen = agent

frying-pan = theme

Jordan = goal.

(4)    Hans went to the store for some bread.

Hans = agent.

store = goal

bread = purpose (goal of purpose)

(5)    The cat chased the dog across the front yard.

cat = agent

dog = theme

across the front yard = path

(6)    Mary is pleased with her gift.

Mary = experiencer

gift = theme

Draw by hand using a straight edge (ruler) for the tree diagrams, the phrase structure for the following phrases including spell-out and theta-roles: (don't forget null forms, Case, links, and every operator). Account for your derivations:

• The two fish swam from the boat to the buoy.

 

Following the model given in theta roles.

The null operators below T are omitted to save space, and some links are omitted, and certain other details not direct germaine to the problem are also omitted.

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