Difference between revisions of "Valence (definition)"
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:''3) Jones gave the cheese to the mouse.'' | :''3) Jones gave the cheese to the mouse.'' | ||
| − | Although ''the mouse'' in (3) looks superficially like an object of a preposition (and therefore an [[Oblique|oblique]] or non-core argument), it is in fact a core argument (an [[Indirect Object (definition)|indirect object]]) of the verb ''give''. | + | Although ''the mouse'' in (3) looks superficially like an object of a preposition (and therefore an [[Oblique (definition)|oblique]] or non-core argument), it is in fact a core argument (an [[Indirect Object (definition)|indirect object]]) of the verb ''give''. |
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While valence is conceived as a property of verbs (and therefore is lexically determined), human languages have a wide variety of [[Valence Changing Operation (definition)|valence changing operations]] by which valence can be increased or decreased. [[Passive voice (definition)|Passive voice]], for instance, is one example of an "operation" which decreases the valence of a given verb. | While valence is conceived as a property of verbs (and therefore is lexically determined), human languages have a wide variety of [[Valence Changing Operation (definition)|valence changing operations]] by which valence can be increased or decreased. [[Passive voice (definition)|Passive voice]], for instance, is one example of an "operation" which decreases the valence of a given verb. | ||
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==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
*wikipedia article on Valence: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valency_(linguistics) | *wikipedia article on Valence: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valency_(linguistics) | ||
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| + | ==References== | ||
| + | *Carnie, A. (2013) Syntax: A Generative Introduction.'' 3rd Edition. Wiley Blackwell. | ||
| + | *Crystal, D. (2008) ''Dictionary of Linguistics and Phonetics''. 6th Edition. Wiley-Blackwell. | ||
[[Category: Technical Definitions]] | [[Category: Technical Definitions]] | ||
[[Category: Syntax]] | [[Category: Syntax]] | ||
[[Category: Semantics]] | [[Category: Semantics]] | ||
Latest revision as of 06:09, 17 June 2012
Valence (also called "valency") is a property of verbs. It indicates the number of arguments a verb requires to make a clause (not counting optionally expressed non-core arguments). Valence is roughly equivalent to the traditional concept of transitivity.
(1) contains a verb with a valence of 1 (sometimes called univalent or intransitive), (2) a verb with valence of 2 (divalent or transitive), and (3) a verb with valence of 3 (trivalent or ditransitive).
- 1) Jones snored.
- 2) Smith bewildered the pedestrians.
- 3) Jones gave the cheese to the mouse.
Although the mouse in (3) looks superficially like an object of a preposition (and therefore an oblique or non-core argument), it is in fact a core argument (an indirect object) of the verb give.
While valence is conceived as a property of verbs (and therefore is lexically determined), human languages have a wide variety of valence changing operations by which valence can be increased or decreased. Passive voice, for instance, is one example of an "operation" which decreases the valence of a given verb.
See Also
External Links
- wikipedia article on Valence: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valency_(linguistics)
References
- Carnie, A. (2013) Syntax: A Generative Introduction. 3rd Edition. Wiley Blackwell.
- Crystal, D. (2008) Dictionary of Linguistics and Phonetics. 6th Edition. Wiley-Blackwell.
