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In generative linguistics, Burzio's generalization is the observation that a verb can assign a theta role (a title used to describe the relationship between the noun phrase and the predicate, such as agent, theme, and goal) to its subject position if and only if it can assign an accusative case to its object. Accordingly, if a verb does not assign a theta role to its subject, then it does not assign accusative case to its object. The generalization is named after Italian linguist Luigi Burzio, based on work published in the 1980s, but the seeds of the idea are found in earlier scholarship. The generalization can be logically written in the following equation:
θ ↔ A
Where: θ = Subject Theta Role
A = Accusative Case
Burzio’s generalization has two major consequences:
- Burzio's generalization recognizes two classes of intransitive verbs:
- With unaccusative intransitive verbs (e.g., fall), the single argument bears the theme theta role, and the subject is understood as the undergoer or receiver of the action. For example, in the sentence Emily fell, the subject Emily undergoes the action of falling.
- With unergative intransitive verbs (e.g., laugh), the single argument bears the agent theta role and is understood as the doer of the action. For example, in the sentence Emily laughed, the subject Emily performs the action of laughing.
- Burzio's generalization establishes a parallel between unaccusative verbs (referred to as ergative verbs by Burzio[1]) and passives, neither of which assign a subject theta role or accusative case.
Burzio describes the intransitive occurrence of ergative verbs in the generalization that bears his name:[2]
“All and only the verbs that can assign a theta-role to the subject can assign Accusative Case to an object.”[3]
- ^ "Ergative verbs" has been used to describe both unaccusitive and labile functions. For clarity, we will avoid using "ergative" if possible.
- ^ Mackenzie, Ian (2006). Unaccusative Verbs in Romance Languages. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 187.
- ^ Burzio 1986.