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Syntactic Alternations of Hindi Verbs with Reference to the
Morphological Paradigm
Debasri Chakrabarti Pushpak Bhattacharyya
Department of Computer Science and Department of Computer Science and
Engineering, Indian Institute of Engineering, Indian Institute of
Technology, Bombay Powai, Mumbai- Technology, Bombay Powai, Mumbai-
400076 India debasri@cse.iitb.ac.in 400076 India pb@cse.iitb.ac.in
Keywords: Syntactic Alternation, Morphological Paradigm, Semantic Category.
Abstract The work is based on the hypothesis of
syntactic alternations. Syntactic alternations refer to the
argument structure of the verbs. The work is guided by
The aim of this paper is to show the alternation pattern Beth Levins work on syntactic alternations of English
of verbs in Hindi. The work is guided by Beth Levins verbs. The basic assumption of Levin is that the behavior
work on English verb classes and alternations where of a verb with respect to the expression and interpretation
English verbs are classified semantically according to of its arguments is to a large extent determined by its
their argument structure [1]. There is a strong belief that meaning.
the semantic nature of verbs is largely dependent on its The motivation behind the work is to explore whether the
argument structure. The nature of the Hindi verbs shows verbs in the Indian languages can also be categorized
that along with the argument structure, attention should semantically on the basis of this alternation pattern. At
also be paid to the phonological changes which influence present, the work deals only with the syntactic patterns
the morphological paradigms. Preliminary attempts have and does not handle the semantic classification.
been made to class the simple verbs of Hindi into
different morphological paradigms along with the 2. Alternations of English verbs
phonological changes. At present, the work is limited
only to the syntactic structure. Semantic characteristics The methodology of Levin is that the ideal lexical entry
have not been dealt with. Focus is mainly given on for a word should minimize the information provided for
nominal, transitive-causative, and intransitive-causative that word. According to her, this goal can be achieved
variants. by factoring predictable information out of lexical entries
leaving idiosyncratic information. The principle behind
1. Introduction this is that if the syntactic properties are followed from
their meaning then it should be possible to identify
general principles that derive the behavior of a verb from
Verbs are the most important categories in parts of its meaning. This assumption gives rise to a powerful
speech due to their distinctive behavior. It is the verbs technique for investigating verb meaning that gives rise
that form the pivot of the sentence. A sentence without a to the development of the theory of lexical knowledge.
verb is unthinkable. The knowledge of a speaker about a This states that if the behavior of the verb classes with
lexical item suggests that he or she has more lexical respect to their alternations arises from their meaning
knowledge than the knowledge of word-specific then any class of verbs whose members pattern together
idiosyncratic properties. The lexical knowledge is with respect to their alternations should be semantically
characterized with respect to verbs. All the grammatical coherent class. After identifying such a class their
information, that is, about tense, number, gender, etc is members can be examined to isolate the meaning
carried by the verbs in a sentence. These are the reasons component they have in common [2]. Thus, alternation
why the study of verbs has acquired immense importance
in Linguistics.
pattern plays an important role into the lexical 3.a. The butcher cuts the meat.
representation of word meaning. b. The meat cuts easily.
Levin had taken care of several types of
Hindi: NVDD>PDD0VDND7WDK2
alternations. Some instances of it are shown below:
\DKPDD0VD$VDDQD,VDRN7WDK2
Middle alternation Causative / Inchoative alternation. This type
This is an intransitive alternation. The middle involves transitive and intransitive uses of verbs where
construction, that is, the intransitive variant of this the intransitive use of a verb V can be paraphrased as
alternation is characterized by a lack of time reference “cause to V-intransitive”.
and by an understood but unexpressed agent.
4.a. Janet broke the cup.
b. The cup broke.
1.a. The butcher cuts the meet.
Hindi: UDPDQDRNSWDR'D
b. The meet cuts easily.
NS787JD\DD
Dative alternation
This is also a type
This type of alternation is characterized by an alternation Induced Action Alternation.
between the prepositional frame ‘NP1 V NP2 to NP3 of causative alternation which is found generally with the
and the double object frame ‘NP1 V NP3 NP2. The NP ‘run verbs. The causee is typically an animate volitional
that is the object of the preposition in the prepositional entity that is induced to act by the causer.
to 5.a. Sylvia jumped the horse over the fence.
frame turns up as the first object in the double object b. The horse jumped over the fence.
construction.
Hindi: UDPDQDR*DDR'RNDREDD'NR`SUVDRNXGYDD\DD
*DDR'DEDD'NR`SUVDRN8GD
2.a. Martha carved a toy for the baby.
b. Martha carved the baby a toy.
Substances/source alternation. This type of
3. Alternations in Indian languages alternation is found with verbs of substance emission.
The alternating pattern is NP1 NP2 P V and NP2 NP1 V.
Attempt has been made to see whether Indian languages The verb form also changes with the alternating pattern.
also have the same sort of alternation as in English. The 6.a. Heat radiates from the sun.
sample language that has been taken here is Hindi. The b. The sun radiates heat.
Hindi: WDSVD8UMDVDRLYDLNLUWKDRWDK2?
major differences that have been found between English
and Hindi are that in case of English it is the same form VD8UMDWDSLYDLNU1DNUWDK2
of verb which is occurring in the alternation, but in Hindi
This alternation is
the verb changes its form and hence, the morphological Unspecified Object alternation.
paradigm too. Levins framework tends to be powerful characterized by wide range of activity verbs. The lack
for Indian languages also in a sense that it gives of direct object in the intransitive variant is understood to
importance to the morphological properties along with have as object something that qualifies as a typical object
the subcategorizational frame. This type of study is of the verb. The alternation variant is NP1 P NP2 V and
necessary because even a single property sometimes NP1 P V.
becomes sufficient to characterize a particular verb class. 7.a. Mike ate the cake.
The examples of alternations occurring in Hindi are b. Mike ate.
given in section 3.1.
Hindi: UDPDQDRNRN.D\DD
UDPDQDR.D\DD
3.1. Type of Alternation
Understood body-part object alternation. This
Transitivity Alternation. The transitivity alternations alternation is found with verbs that describe certain
take the form of is ‘NP V NP alternating with ‘NP V gestures or signs made with the particular part of the
(PP) (NP= Noun Phrase, V= Verb, P= Preposition/ body. In transitive use the verbs take this body part as
Postposition). their direct object and in intransitive use it is not taken
There are different types of alternations under the but understood.
heading of this alternation. 8.a. Jennifer craned her neck.
b. Jennifer craned.
This type of alternations is found in
Middle alternation.
Hindi: YDK@FDNNRGR.UKDTDD
Hindi with the pattern ‘NP1 NP2 V with ‘NP PP V.
YDKJDGQD`§FD,NUNRGR.UKDTDD
In Hindi there is no single verb which show this type of Locative Alternation. These are verbs that relate to
actions. These are expressed by means of combination putting substances on surfaces or things in containers or
verbs, that is, by a combination of a noun and a verb. to removing substances from surfaces or things from
containers.
Understood Reciprocal object alternation. The
action denoted by the verb in the intransitive variant of .
Spray/load alternation This type of alternation is found
this alternation can be roughly paraphrased by the with the transitive verbs.
transitive verb when it takes the reciprocal each other as 13. a. Jack sprayed paint on the wall. (Locative
object. variant)
9.a. Anne met Cathy. b. Jack sprayed the wall with paint. (With
b. Anne and Cathy met. variant)
UDPD6\DDPDVDRLPDODD
Hindi:
Hindi: UDPDG,YDDUSUODDODU0JDSDRWD
UDPD$D2U6\DDPDLPDODR
UDPDQDRODDODU0JDVDRG,YDDUN,U0JDD>N,
Syntactic pattern is NP1 NP2 V and NP1 and NP2 V. Syntactic Pattern is NP1 NP2 locative NP3 V and NP1 P
NP3 with NP2 V. The form of the verb also changes.
Characteristic property of agent alternation.
Here both the variants indicate that the subject typically Clear alternation. This form of alternation is associated
shows a propensity for the action named by the verb. with the ‘holistic/partitive’ effect.
10.a. This dog bites people. 14.a. Clouds cleared the sky. (Locative variant)
b. This dog bites. b. The sky cleared.
Hindi: \DKNXWDODDRJDDR0NDRND7WDK2 Hindi: $DVDPDDQDVDREDDGODK7JD\DR
\DKNXWDND7WDK2 EDDGODK7JD\DR
The alternating syntactic pattern is NP1 NP2 P V and Alternation Pattern is NP1 P NP2 V and NP2 V.
NP1 V.
Material product alternation. This alternation is found
Characteristic property of Instrument alternation. The with transitive verbs taking an agent argument expressed
intransitive variant of this alternation is used as subject and raw material and product arguments
to indicate an instrument’s suitability for carrying out the expressed within the verb phrase.
action named by the verb. 15.a. Martha carved a toy out of the piece of
11.a. I cut the bread with this knife. wood.
b. This knife cuts the bread. b. Martha carved the piece of wood into toy.
c. This knife doesn’t cut.
Hindi: UDPDQDR>VDODN',NR7XN'RVDRL.ODD2QDDEDQDD\DD
Hindi: PD2QDR0>VDFDDN8VDRNRNND7D
UDPDQDR>VDODN',NR7XN'RNDRL.ODD2QDRNDS
>VDFDDN8VDRND7DMDDVDNWDK2
LG\DD
>VDFDDN8VDRND7DQDK,0MDDVDNWDK2
Here, there is no change in the alternation pattern.
This variant is found in Hindi.
Simpler reciprocal agreement. This alternation involves
Dative Alternation. This type of alternation is verbs found in two frames in a near paraphrase
characterized by an alternation between the prepositional relationship: ‘NP1V [pp P NP2]’ and ‘[NP NP1 and NP2]
frame ‘NP1 V NP2 to NP3’ and the double object frame V’.
‘NP1 V NP3 NP2’. The NP that is the object of the 16.a. Brenda agreed with Molly.
preposition to in the prepositional frame turns up as the b. Brenda and Molly agreed.
first object in the double object construction.
Hindi: UDPD6\DDPDVDRVDKPDWKX$D
12.a. Bill sold a car.
UDPD$D2U6\DDPDVDKPDWKXH
b. Bill sold Tom a car.
In Hindi the two frames for alternation are: ‘NP1 NP2
Hindi: UDPDQDRJDD',EDRFD,
[ P V]’ and ‘[ NP1 and NP2] V’.
VP NP
UDPD6\DDPDNDRJDD',EDRFD,
The pattern alternates with NP1 P NP2 V and Fulfilling alternation. There is a superficial similarity
NP1 NP2 P NP3 V. with both the Dative and Locative variants. The
alternating pattern here is ‘NP V NP to NP’ which is
associated with dative alternation. The other variant of
the alternation involves the frame ‘NP V NP with NP’
which is a locative alternation.
17.a. The Judge presented a prize to the winner.
b. The Judge presented the winner with a
Hindi: UDPDQDRPD6DPDND7,
prize.
UDPDNR:DUDPD6DPDND7,JD>
LQD1DD\DNQDRLYDMD\D,NDRSXUVNDUSCGDQDLN\DD
Hindi: Passive alternations are found in Hindi though
LQD1DD\DNQDRLYDMD\D,NDRSXUVNDUVDRVDPPDDLQDWLN\DD
they are not very common in the language.
In Hindi this alternation is not working as the frame for
both the variants are ‘NP case marker NP case marker 3.2 Observations
NP V’
1. Not all the alternation does occur in Hindi but
Together reciprocal alternation.This alternation involves certain alternations of English do occur.
verbs found in two frames in a near paraphrase 2.Unlike English in both the languages there is a
relationship: ‘NP1 V [ P NP2]’ and ‘[ NP1 and NP2]
PP NP phonological change in the verb form that
V’. changes the conjugation pattern and
18.a. The eggs mixed with the cream. morphological paradigm.
b. The eggs and the cream mixed. 3. In certain cases of alternation the verb form
Hindi: $0'RNRVDDTD¢,PDLPDODD>JD>K2
also occurs with the auxiliaries.
$0'R$D2U¢,PDNDRLPDODD\DDJD\DDK2
The alternation pattern found in Hindi: ‘[ NP1 P NP2]
NP 4. Structure of verbs in Hindi
V’ and ‘[ NP1 and NP2] V.
NP
From the observed data it was sure that in Indian
Possessor Subject (Transitive). This type of alternation languages it was not only the verb arguments that change
is manifested by a set of transitive verb. This alternation but also the verbal form changes. In this connection it
involves the expression of a possessor and an attribute of became obvious to put focus on the structure of the
the possessor. verbs.
19. a. The clown amused the children with his antics. Structurally Indian verbs are varied in nature.
b.The clown’s antics amused the children. According to the structure we may get the following type
Hindi: MDDRNUQDR$SQDR.RODVDREDFFDDR0NRPDQDNDREDKODD\DD
of verbs [3]:
MDDRNUQDREDFFDDR0NRPDQDNDR$SQDR.RODVDREDKODD\DD
The alternation frame in Hindi is: ‘[ NP1case marker Simple Verbs
NP
NP2 case marker NP3] V and ‘[ NP1 case marker NP3
NP
case marker NP2] V’. These verbs are made up of one single verb root. The
entire transitive, intransitive and causative verbs fall
Possessor Subject (Intransitive). This is the intransitive
under this group, for example, Hindi .DQDDVDDRQDD etc. The
20.a. Meat fell in price. nominal verbs that are derived from either noun or
b. The price of meat fell.
KLTD\DDQDD
adjective also fall under this group, for example, ,
Hindi: VDEMD,ND%DDYDLJDUJD\DD
EDLW\DDQDD etc.
%DDYDLJDUJD\DDVDEMD,ND
Alternation Pattern is NP1 P NP2 V and NP2 V NP1. Conjunct Verbs
Oblique Subject Alternations. Time Subject These verbs are made up of different parts of speech
alternation.‘Oblique’ subjects of this type have been along with a verb.These types of verbs are further
characterized as ‘natural forces’. classified into different categories according to different
21.a. The world saw the beginning of a new era parts of speech. These types of verbs are more in number
in 1492. in Indian languages.
b. 1492 saw the beginning of a new era.
This type is further sub divided as:
S8URLYD6YDQDR PDR0HNQD\DR\DX?JDNDR6DXKDRWRGR.D
Hindi:
Noun and Verb. This type is made up of a noun
QDRHNQD\DR\DX?JDNDR6DXKDRWRGR.D
$DU0%D NUQDD LG.D>
Two variants are NP1 P NP2 NP3 V and NP2 NP3 V. and a verb. Example for this type is ,
GRQDD
etc.
Passive Alternation. This is a type of verbal passive.
This type of passives generally occurs with the Adjective and verb. In this type the first part is an
intransitive verbs. adjective while the second is the verb. Examples of such
22.a. The cook sliced the mushrooms.
PD,]DODJDQDD$F&DODJDQDD
a type is etc.
b. The mushrooms were sliced by the cook.
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