@article{ART003244565},
author={Huang, Mingjun},
title={On the Typology of Reflexive Causative Expressions: From the Perspective of Verb Transitivity Pairs},
journal={The Japanese Language Association of Korea},
issn={1229-7275},
year={2025},
number={85},
pages={145-167}
TY - JOUR
AU - Huang, Mingjun
TI - On the Typology of Reflexive Causative Expressions: From the Perspective of Verb Transitivity Pairs
JO - The Japanese Language Association of Korea
PY - 2025
VL - null
IS - 85
PB - The Japanese Language Association Of Korea
SP - 145
EP - 167
SN - 1229-7275
AB - This paper examines the morphological correspondence between intransitive and transitive verbs to propose a novel classification system that identifies the conditions under which reflexive causative expressions can be constructed in the Japanese language. Previous research has predominantly framed such expression within a lexical context, positing that the causative form of an intransitive verb compensates for the absence of a corresponding transitive verb. This study, however, argues that the actual distribution of reflexive causatives is significantly more complex and cannot be fully encapsulated by this binary model. The paper introduces seven distinct categories of reflexive causative constructions based on verb transitivity. Types [I] and [II] pertain to paired verbs, wherein Type [I] encompasses instances where both intransitive and transitive verbs exist, yet no reflexive causative expression is generated. In contrast, Type [II] features the coexistence of reflexive causatives alongside corresponding intransitive-transitive pairs. Types [III] through [VII] involve non-paired verbs; Type [III] includes solely intransitive forms that do not yield reflexive causatives, while Type [IV] is constituted by intransitive forms that do. Type [V] contains only transitive verbs that lack a corresponding intransitive form. Type [VI] involves reflexive causatives paired with transitive verbs, even in the absence of an intransitive form. Lastly, Type [VII] presents reflexive causatives without any corresponding transitive or intransitive form. Furthermore, the paper examines pragmatic distinctions among paired verbs, elucidating the semantic and stylistic contrasts between unmarked transitive causatives and marked intransitive causative forms. The former typically describe straightforward outcomes in informal registers, while the latter accentuate causes or backgrounds, often appearing in more formal or literary contexts. An analysis of the coexistence of reflexive and transitive causatives reveals that the two forms functionally complement each other. Conversely, when only reflexive causatives are present, they not only satisfy transitive syntactic roles but may also express intentional causation, contingent upon the discourse context.
KW - Reflexive;Causative expressions;Paired verbs;Unpaired verbs;Typologization
DO -
UR -
ER -
Huang, Mingjun. (2025). On the Typology of Reflexive Causative Expressions: From the Perspective of Verb Transitivity Pairs. The Japanese Language Association of Korea, 85, 145-167.
Huang, Mingjun. 2025, "On the Typology of Reflexive Causative Expressions: From the Perspective of Verb Transitivity Pairs", The Japanese Language Association of Korea, no.85, pp.145-167.
Huang, Mingjun "On the Typology of Reflexive Causative Expressions: From the Perspective of Verb Transitivity Pairs" The Japanese Language Association of Korea 85 pp.145-167 (2025) : 145.
Huang, Mingjun. On the Typology of Reflexive Causative Expressions: From the Perspective of Verb Transitivity Pairs. 2025; 85 : 145-167.
Huang, Mingjun. "On the Typology of Reflexive Causative Expressions: From the Perspective of Verb Transitivity Pairs" The Japanese Language Association of Korea no.85(2025) : 145-167.
Huang, Mingjun. On the Typology of Reflexive Causative Expressions: From the Perspective of Verb Transitivity Pairs. The Japanese Language Association of Korea, 85, 145-167.
Huang, Mingjun. On the Typology of Reflexive Causative Expressions: From the Perspective of Verb Transitivity Pairs. The Japanese Language Association of Korea. 2025; 85 145-167.
Huang, Mingjun. On the Typology of Reflexive Causative Expressions: From the Perspective of Verb Transitivity Pairs. 2025; 85 : 145-167.
Huang, Mingjun. "On the Typology of Reflexive Causative Expressions: From the Perspective of Verb Transitivity Pairs" The Japanese Language Association of Korea no.85(2025) : 145-167.
