The Discourse Basis Of Ergativity John W Du Bois Language

The Discourse Basis Of Ergativityjohn W Du Boislanguage Vol 63 No

The provided content appears to be an incomplete and partially broken citation or reference to an academic article titled "The Discourse Basis of Ergativity" by John W. Du Bois, published in Language, Volume 63, No. 4, in December 1987. The text primarily consists of publication details, publisher information, and access terms, with no substantive content or core assignment question explicitly presented.

Since the input does not contain a specific assignment prompt or clear instructions beyond the bibliographic reference, the essential task is to interpret what the likely assignment is based on this reference. Given the article's title and the journal's focus, the probable task is to discuss or analyze the discourse-based approach to ergativity in linguistic theory, specifically drawing from Du Bois’ work.

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Ergativity is a grammatical pattern distinguished by the way subjects of intransitive verbs and objects of transitive verbs are uniformly marked, in contrast to nominative-accusative languages where the subject of a transitive verb (the agent) and the subject of an intransitive verb are marked identically but differently from the object. The linguistic work by John W. Du Bois, particularly in his influential 1987 article "The Discourse Basis of Ergativity," explores the interface between discourse and ergative structures, emphasizing the importance of discourse-pragmatic factors in understanding ergativity across languages.

In traditional typological studies, ergativity has been approached as a purely syntactic or morphological phenomenon. However, Du Bois advocates a discourse-oriented perspective, arguing that ergativity is often motivated and shaped by discourse functions, such as topicalization, focus, and information structure. This perspective aligns with the broader functional-typological approach in linguistics, which considers how language construction is influenced by language use and communicative needs.

Du Bois’ analysis suggests that ergative case marking or syntactic alignment is not merely a static grammatical property but is deeply connected to the ways speakers organize and interpret discourse. For example, in many ergative languages, the marking of ergative case on the subject of transitive verbs correlates with discourse strategies that foreground or topicalize certain entities. This emphasis on discourse highlights that ergativity can be fluid and context-dependent, varying with how speakers manage information flow within conversations.

The discourse-based view also accounts for why ergativity is more prominent in certain languages or dialects and less so in others. It proposes that ergative structures evolve or are maintained because they help speakers achieve specific discourse functions—like clarifying agency or focus—in particular communicative contexts. Therefore, understanding ergativity requires attention to pragmatic and discourse factors alongside traditional syntactic descriptions.

Furthermore, Du Bois emphasizes the role of interactional and social context in shaping ergative patterns. The intentionality, topicality, and focus within a conversation influence how grammatical structures, including ergativity, are employed. This approach offers a dynamic view of language, where grammatical cases are tools for managing information rather than merely fixed formal markers.

In conclusion, Du Bois’ discourse-based approach offers a comprehensive understanding of ergativity, integrating syntax, pragmatics, and discourse. Recognizing the functional motivations behind ergative patterns enriches our understanding of language diversity and the complex ways in which speakers use language to navigate social interactions. This perspective encourages linguists to consider language as a living, contextually driven system, rather than a static set of rules.

References

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