Theta Criterion
Encyclopedia
In syntax
, the theta criterion (in its original form) states that in a grammatical sentence, every theta role
that a verb
can assign must be realized by some argument
, and each argument may bear only a single theta role. So, for instance, for the verb send, which is associated with the theta-roles of Agent, Goal and Theme, a well formed sentence might look like this:
Here, the three theta roles are assigned to Robert, Mary and a package, respectively. The sentence would have been malformed if any of these arguments had been absent.
:
Linguists often explain sentences 2 and 3, where the verbs seem to be missing arguments, by positing a silent pronoun (pro) that occupies the phonologically empty argument positions. This can be justified by noting that one cannot get the meaning from sentence 2 that John ate something inedible, such as a rock, and that in sentence 3 there is a clear implied first-person subject.
In sentence 1, however, there is no clear theta-position that the death befitting a Roman soldier is occupying; it is unclear what licenses this cognate object
, producing a pseudo-transitive use of the verb died. One plausible explication is the interpretation of the verb die in this phrase as synonym of suffer, undergo or be impaired; thus, the sentence may be interpreted as:
And then, the arguments are complete.
Syntax
In linguistics, syntax is the study of the principles and rules for constructing phrases and sentences in natural languages....
, the theta criterion (in its original form) states that in a grammatical sentence, every theta role
Theta role
In generative grammar , a theta role or θ-role is the formal device for representing syntactic argument structure required syntactically by a particular verb. For example, the verb put requires three arguments...
that a verb
Verb
A verb, from the Latin verbum meaning word, is a word that in syntax conveys an action , or a state of being . In the usual description of English, the basic form, with or without the particle to, is the infinitive...
can assign must be realized by some argument
Verb argument
In linguistics, a verb argument is a phrase that appears in a syntactic relationship with the verb in a clause. In English, for example, the two most important arguments are the subject and the direct object....
, and each argument may bear only a single theta role. So, for instance, for the verb send, which is associated with the theta-roles of Agent, Goal and Theme, a well formed sentence might look like this:
- Robert sent Mary a package.
Here, the three theta roles are assigned to Robert, Mary and a package, respectively. The sentence would have been malformed if any of these arguments had been absent.
Apparent violations
It is often noted that sometimes arguments of the verb are not overtly present, and that sometimes the verb may take more arguments than specified in the lexiconLexicon
In linguistics, the lexicon of a language is its vocabulary, including its words and expressions. A lexicon is also a synonym of the word thesaurus. More formally, it is a language's inventory of lexemes. Coined in English 1603, the word "lexicon" derives from the Greek "λεξικόν" , neut...
:
- Gladius Maximus died the death befitting a Roman soldier.
- John ate.
- Going to the store, be back later!
Linguists often explain sentences 2 and 3, where the verbs seem to be missing arguments, by positing a silent pronoun (pro) that occupies the phonologically empty argument positions. This can be justified by noting that one cannot get the meaning from sentence 2 that John ate something inedible, such as a rock, and that in sentence 3 there is a clear implied first-person subject.
In sentence 1, however, there is no clear theta-position that the death befitting a Roman soldier is occupying; it is unclear what licenses this cognate object
Cognate object
In linguistics, a cognate object is a verb's object that is etymologically related to the verb. More specifically, the verb is one that is ordinarily intransitive , and the cognate object is simply the verb's noun form. For example, in the sentence He slept a troubled sleep, sleep is the cognate...
, producing a pseudo-transitive use of the verb died. One plausible explication is the interpretation of the verb die in this phrase as synonym of suffer, undergo or be impaired; thus, the sentence may be interpreted as:
- Gladius Maximus suffered the death befitting a Roman soldier.
And then, the arguments are complete.