1. Properties of Events Expressed by Serial Verb Constructions in Thai Kingkarn Thepkanjana Chulalongkorn University

2. What are serial verb constructions (SVCs)? Broad definition: A type of construction in which two or more verbs (verb phrases) are put in juxtaposition without any linker. Broad definition: A type of construction in which two or more verbs (verb phrases) are put in juxtaposition without any linker.

3. Examples (1) kha w takoon t p he shout answer he shout answer He answered by shouting. (2) kha w cu t bu ri i su up he lit cigarette smoke he lit cigarette smoke He lit a cigarette to smoke. (3) kha w yi ap kl b n he step on box flat he step on box flat He stepped on a box and it became flat.

4. (4) kha w y n r phlee (4) kha w y n r phlee he stand sing he stand sing He stood singing. (5) kha w yàak pay m a n ̂ k he want go abroad he want go abroad He wanted to go abroad. (6) kha w rə ̂ əm tham kaanba ̂ an he began do homework he began do homework He began to do homework.

5. (7) kha w sa k s a sa ?a at he wash shirt clean he wash shirt clean He washed a shirt and it became clean. He washed a shirt and it became clean. (8) kha ̌ w kin kha ̂ aw yùu he eat rice live, be located (durative asp.) he eat rice live, be located (durative asp.) He is eating. He is eating. (9) kha ̌ w khít wa ̂ a kha ̌ w tham thùuk he think say (comp) he do right he think say (comp) he do right He thought he did the right thing. He thought he did the right thing.

6. (10) kha ̌ w ma ̂ y da ̂ y pay he not get (past tense) go he not get (past tense) go He did not go. He did not go. (11) kha ̌ w pay ma ̂ y da ̂ y he go not get (able) he go not get (able) He cant go. He cant go. (12) kha ̌ w thu ̂ uk rót chon he come into contact with (passive) car hit he come into contact with (passive) car hit He got hit by a car. He got hit by a car.

7. (13) kha ̌ w khàp rót ha ̂ y cha ̌ n he drive car give (benefactive) I he drive car give (benefactive) I He drove the car for me. He drove the car for me.

8. SVCs in Thai are not a unified phenomenon.

9. Major types of SVCs 1. SVCs with grammaticalized/ nongrammaticalized serial verbs nongrammaticalized serial verbs

10. Nongrammaticalized vs grammaticalized SVCs Nongrammaticalized SVCs = SVCs in which all verbs have full lexical meanings. Nongrammaticalized SVCs = SVCs in which all verbs have full lexical meanings. Grammaticalized SVCs = SVCs in which one verb is grammaticalized. Grammaticalized SVCs = SVCs in which one verb is grammaticalized.

11. Examples of grammaticalized verbs in SVCs Verbs lexical meanings grammatical function yùu live, be located at durative aspect marke wa ̂ a say complementizer da ̂ y get past tense marker, able thu ̂ uk come into contact passive marker with with ha ̂ y give benefactive marker

12. Examples of grammaticalized serial verbs (14) kha ̌ w kin kha ̂ aw yùu he eat rice live, be located (durative aspect) he eat rice live, be located (durative aspect) He is eating. He is eating. (15) kha ̌ w khít wa ̂ a kha ̌ w tham thùuk he think say (comp) he do right he think say (comp) he do right He thought he did the right thing. He thought he did the right thing. (16) kha ̌ w ma ̂ y da ̂ y pay he not get (past tense) go he not get (past tense) go He did not go. He did not go.

13. Major types of SVCs 2. SVCs with complement-taking verbs / noncomplement-taking verbs verbs / noncomplement-taking verbs

14. Complement-taking verbs = verbs which are not semantically complete in themselves, such as yàak want, rə ̂ əm begin

15. Non-complement-taking verbs = verbs which do not need other verbs to complete their meanings, such as y n stand, takoon shout

16. Example of SVCs with complement- taking verbs (17) kha w yàak pay m aŋn ̂ k he want go abroad he want go abroad He wanted to go abroad. He wanted to go abroad. (18) kha w rə ̂ əm tham kaanba ̂ an he began do homework he began do homework He began to do homework. He began to do homework.

17. Major types of SVCs 3. Basic vs nonbasic SVCs Basic SVCs = SVCs with two verbs or Basic SVCs = SVCs with two verbs or verb phrases verb phrases Nonbasic SVCs = SVCs with embedded Nonbasic SVCs = SVCs with embedded basic SVCs basic SVCs

18. Objectives of the study Examine the properties of events expressed by SVCs in Thai. Examine the properties of events expressed by SVCs in Thai. Compare and contrast SVCs with their semantically related but syntactically different constructions. Compare and contrast SVCs with their semantically related but syntactically different constructions.

19. Scope of the study Nongrammaticalized, non-complement-taking, basic types of SVCs. Nongrammaticalized, non-complement-taking, basic types of SVCs.

20. Semantic classification of SVCs

21. 1.Manner SVCs The first verb expresses the manner of performing an action denoted by the second verb. (19) kha w kwa k m ri ak cha n he wave hand call I he wave hand call I He called me by waving his hand. He called me by waving his hand. (20) kha w phaya kna a he ndu ay he nod agree he nod agree He agreed by nodding. He agreed by nodding.

22. 2.Sequential SVCs The serial verbs express a sequence of actions. (21) kha w cu t bu ri i su up he lit cigarette smoke he lit cigarette smoke He lit a cigarette to smoke. He lit a cigarette to smoke. (22) kha w yi p khano mpa kin he grab, pick up bread eat he grab, pick up bread eat He picked up a piece of bread to eat. He picked up a piece of bread to eat.

23. 3.Resultative SVCs The serial verbs express a causing action and a resulting event. (23) kha w paa k w t k he throw glass broken he throw glass broken He threw a glass and it became broken. He threw a glass and it became broken. (24) kha w yi ap kl b n he step on box flat he step on box flat He stepped on a box and it became flat. He stepped on a box and it became flat.

24. 4.Posture SVCs The first verb expresses a posture of the body while the same subject of the verb is performing an action. (25) kha w na a an na s (25) kha w na a an na s he sit read book he sit read book He sat reading a book. He sat reading a book. (26) kha w y n r phlee (26) kha w y n r phlee he stand sing he stand sing He stood singing. He stood singing.

25. 5.Directional SVCs The serial verbs express directions of a single path. The notions of basic and nonbasic SVCs do not apply. (27) kha w dəən ̀ k pay he walk exit go he walk exit go He walked out and away. He walked out and away. (28) kha w dəən troŋ y n klàp ̀ k pay he walk go straight reverse return exit go he walk go straight reverse return exit go He walked straight out away to this starting point. He walked straight out away to this starting point.

26. Properties of events of the five semantic types of SVCs

27. 1. Manner SVCs (29) kha w kwa k m ri ak cha n he wave hand call I he wave hand call I He called me by waving his hand. He called me by waving his hand. (30) kha w phaya kna a he ndu ay he nod agree he nod agree He agreed by nodding. He agreed by nodding. (31) kha ̌ w takoon t ɔ ̀ ɔ p he shout answer he shout answer He answered by shouting. He answered by shouting.

28. The first verb expresses the manner of performing an action denoted by the second verb. The first verb expresses the manner of performing an action denoted by the second verb. This type of SVC consists of primary action verb + non- primary action verb. This type of SVC consists of primary action verb + non- primary action verb.

29. Primary action verbs are verbs which denote events which are carried out by an exact physical means and manner, such as d n walk, pro p (m ) clap (hands), na sit, y n stand, phe gaze, kin eat. Primary action verbs are verbs which denote events which are carried out by an exact physical means and manner, such as d n walk, pro p (m ) clap (hands), na sit, y n stand, phe gaze, kin eat. Non-primary verbs are vague as to the means and manner of carrying out the actions expressed by them, such as pay go, maa come, ri ip hurry, f k practice, kl pretend, kh it think, w ikhr ? analyze. Non-primary verbs are vague as to the means and manner of carrying out the actions expressed by them, such as pay go, maa come, ri ip hurry, f k practice, kl pretend, kh it think, w ikhr ? analyze.

30. The first verb expresses the exact physical means and manner of carrying out the action expressed by the second verb. The first verb expresses the exact physical means and manner of carrying out the action expressed by the second verb. The actions indicated by the two verbs were performed by the same agent, and took place at the same place and time but referred to different aspects of the same objective event. The actions indicated by the two verbs were performed by the same agent, and took place at the same place and time but referred to different aspects of the same objective event.

31. This type of SVC expresses multiple event-facets which are not separable from one another. This type of SVC expresses multiple event-facets which are not separable from one another. They are overlaid to form a detailed description of a single objective event. They are overlaid to form a detailed description of a single objective event. The first action is considered the means/manner of performing the second action. The first action is considered the means/manner of performing the second action. At the same time, the second action is considered the goal of performing the first action. At the same time, the second action is considered the goal of performing the first action.

32. Comparison with monoverbal sentences with prepositional phrases indicating means and manner. (32) kha w ri ak cha n dooy kaan kwa k m (32) kha w ri ak cha n dooy kaan kwa k m he call I by nominalizer wave hand he call I by nominalizer wave hand He called me by waving his hand. He called me by waving his hand. (33) kha w he ndu ay dooy kaan phaya kna a he agree by nominalizer nod he agree by nominalizer nod He agreed by nodding his head. He agreed by nodding his head. (34) kha ̌ w t ɔ ̀ ɔ p dooy kaan takoon he answer by nominalizer shout he answer by nominalizer shout He answered by shouting. He answered by shouting.

33. Comparison with sentences with purposive clauses (35) kha w kwa k m ph ̂ a ri ak cha n he wave hand in order to call I he wave hand in order to call I He waved hand in order to call me. He waved hand in order to call me. (36) kha w phaya kna a ph ̂ a he ndu ay he nod in order to agree he nod in order to agree He nodded in order to agree. He nodded in order to agree. (37) kha ̌ w takoon ph ̂ a t ɔ ̀ ɔ p he shout in order to answer he shout in order to answer He shouted in order to answer. He shouted in order to answer.

34. What happens? The new sentences are grammatical but sound awkward. The new sentences are grammatical but sound awkward. Reason: The two verbs which express closely related actions and which constitute prototypical scenes in the real world are split and connected by a preposition or a purposive subordinator. Reason: The two verbs which express closely related actions and which constitute prototypical scenes in the real world are split and connected by a preposition or a purposive subordinator.

35. What happens? The constructions with dooy by and ph ̂ a in order to explicitly express the means/manner and the purpose in performing an action, respectively. The constructions with dooy by and ph ̂ a in order to explicitly express the means/manner and the purpose in performing an action, respectively. They are not normally used to connect two closely related actions which constitute a prototypical scene in the real world. They are not normally used to connect two closely related actions which constitute a prototypical scene in the real world. This means there must be something special about events expressed by SVCs. This means there must be something special about events expressed by SVCs.

36. 2. Sequential SVCs (38) kha w cu t bu ri i su up he lit cigarette smoke he lit cigarette smoke He lit a cigarette to smoke. He lit a cigarette to smoke. (39) kha w yi p khano mpa kin he grab, pick up bread eat he grab, pick up bread eat He picked up a piece of bread to eat. He picked up a piece of bread to eat. (40) kha ̌ w th ɔ̂ɔ t plaa kin he fry fish eat he fry fish eat He fried fish to eat. He fried fish to eat.

37. This type of SVC consists of two primary action verbs. They are not vague as to the means and manner of carrying out the actions indicated by them. This type of SVC consists of two primary action verbs. They are not vague as to the means and manner of carrying out the actions indicated by them. The two verbs express two physical actions performed by the same agent. The two verbs express two physical actions performed by the same agent. The two actions occur in close sequence without a noticeable time span in between. The two actions occur in close sequence without a noticeable time span in between.

38. The second actions are typically interpreted as the purpose of carrying out the first actions. The second actions are typically interpreted as the purpose of carrying out the first actions. The two actions are considered two subevents which constitute a single complex event because they were performed by the same agent, are interpreted as an action- purpose sequence of events, and occurred at more or less the same time and place. The two actions are considered two subevents which constitute a single complex event because they were performed by the same agent, are interpreted as an action- purpose sequence of events, and occurred at more or less the same time and place.

39. Comparison with the coordinated construction containing the conjunction lǽæw k ̂ and then. (41) kha w cu t bu ri i lǽæwk ̂ su up he lit cigarette and then smoke he lit cigarette and then smoke He lit a cigarette and then smoked. He lit a cigarette and then smoked. (42) kha w yi p khano mpa lǽæwk ̂ kin he grab, pick up bread and then eat he grab, pick up bread and then eat He picked up a piece of bread and then ate. He picked up a piece of bread and then ate. (43) kha ̌ w th ɔ̂ɔ t plaa lǽæwk ̂ kin he fry fish and then eat he fry fish and then eat He fried fish and then ate. He fried fish and then ate.

40. What happens? In the coordinate constructions, the two events do not necessarily happen right after each other. There may be a time span between the two events. They may happen at different times and places. In the coordinate constructions, the two events do not necessarily happen right after each other. There may be a time span between the two events. They may happen at different times and places. The two events are perceived to be independent from each other. The two events are perceived to be independent from each other. The sense of purpose is not implied. The sense of purpose is not implied.

41. 3. Resultative SVCs (44) kha w paa k w t k he throw glass broken he throw glass broken He threw a glass and it became broken. He threw a glass and it became broken. (45) kha w yi ap kl b n he step on box flat he step on box flat He stepped on a box and it became flat. He stepped on a box and it became flat. (46) phu ̂ uráay kha ̂ a tamrùat taay criminal kill police die/dead criminal kill police die/dead The criminal killed the police (dead). The criminal killed the police (dead).

42. The two verbs express two subevents occurring in close sequence without any noticeable time span between them. The two verbs express two subevents occurring in close sequence without any noticeable time span between them. The first subevent is interpreted as a causing action whereas the second one is interpreted as either a process or a resulting state of an entity affected by the causing action. The first subevent is interpreted as a causing action whereas the second one is interpreted as either a process or a resulting state of an entity affected by the causing action.

43. This type of SVC is interpreted as a cause- result sequence of events occurring right after each other at the same place. This type of SVC is interpreted as a cause- result sequence of events occurring right after each other at the same place. The two subevents constitute a single complex event. The two subevents constitute a single complex event. In (46), verb serialization serves to confirm the realization of the resulting event, which is semantically inherent in the causing verb. In (46), verb serialization serves to confirm the realization of the resulting event, which is semantically inherent in the causing verb.

44. Comparison with the semantically related subordinate construction containing the subordinator conkratha ̂ ŋ until, to the extent that (47)? kha w paa k w conkratha ̂ ŋ t k he throw glass until, to the extent that broken he throw glass until, to the extent that broken He threw a glass until it was broken. He threw a glass until it was broken. (48)? kha w yi ap kl conkratha ̂ ŋ b n he step on box until, to the extent that flat he step on box until, to the extent that flat He stepped on a box until it was flat. He stepped on a box until it was flat. (49) *phu ̂ uráay kha ̂ a tamrùat conkratha ̂ ŋ taay criminal kill police until, to the extent that die/dead criminal kill police until, to the extent that die/dead The criminal killed the police until he was dead. The criminal killed the police until he was dead.

45. What happens? Sentence (49) is ungrammatical. Sentence (49) is ungrammatical. Sentence (47) implies that the subject kept throwing a glass until it was broken. Sentence (47) implies that the subject kept throwing a glass until it was broken. Sentence (48) implies that the subject kept stepping on a box until it was flat. Sentence (48) implies that the subject kept stepping on a box until it was flat. The oddness of the two sentences arises from the unlikelihood of those events to take place in the real world. The oddness of the two sentences arises from the unlikelihood of those events to take place in the real world.

46. What happens? The construction with conkratha ̂ ŋ until, to the extent that implies that the agent performs an action repeatedly, intensively or long until another event takes place. The construction with conkratha ̂ ŋ until, to the extent that implies that the agent performs an action repeatedly, intensively or long until another event takes place. In (47) and (48), the resulting events are not perceived as expected events of the causing ones. In (47) and (48), the resulting events are not perceived as expected events of the causing ones.

47. 4.Posture SVCs (50) kha w na a an na s (50) kha w na a an na s he sit read book He sat reading a book. He sat reading a book. (51) kha w y n r phlee (51) kha w y n r phlee he stand sing He stood singing. He stood singing. (52) kha w n ɔɔ n faŋ wítthayú? he lie listen to radio He lay listening to the radio. He lay listening to the radio.

48. In this type of SVC, a person performs an action denoted by the second verb while being in a certain posture. In this type of SVC, a person performs an action denoted by the second verb while being in a certain posture. The two subevents are performed by the same agent and happen at the same time and place. The two subevents are performed by the same agent and happen at the same time and place. This type of SVC expresses multiple event- facets which provide a detailed description of one event. This type of SVC expresses multiple event- facets which provide a detailed description of one event.

49. Comparison with the semantically related coordinate construction containing the conjunction lǽ? and (53) kha w na lǽ?a an na s (53) kha w na lǽ?a an na s he sit andread book He sat and read a book. He sat and read a book. (54) kha w y n lǽ? r phlee (54) kha w y n lǽ? r phlee he stand and sing He stood and sang. He stood and sang. (55) kha w n ɔɔ n lǽ? faŋ wítthayú? he lie andlisten to radio He lay and listened to the radio. He lay and listened to the radio.

50. What happens? The coordinate construction suggests that there are two events which may not take place at the same time and place. The coordinate construction suggests that there are two events which may not take place at the same time and place.

51. 5.Directional SVCs (56) kha ̌ w dəən troŋ y n klàp kh ̂ n pay he walk go straight reverse return ascend go He walked away straight back up the slope. He walked away straight back up the slope. (57) kha ̌ w wi ̂ ŋ ̂ m klàp ̀ k maa he run make a detour return exit come He ran back out taking a detour towards the He ran back out taking a detour towards the speaker. speaker.

52. The notion of basic SVC is not applicable to this type of SVC. The notion of basic SVC is not applicable to this type of SVC. There may be two to five verbs in the construction all of which express different directions of a single path of a motion. There may be two to five verbs in the construction all of which express different directions of a single path of a motion. The directions of a single path are described from different perspectives. The directions of a single path are described from different perspectives. The verbs in this type of SVC must obey a constraint on linear order in order to express directions of a single path. The verbs in this type of SVC must obey a constraint on linear order in order to express directions of a single path.

53. Comparison with the semantically related coordinate construction containing the conjunction lǽ? and (58) ?kha ̌ w dəən lǽ? klàp he walk and return he walk and return (59) ?kha ̌ w wi ̂ ŋ lǽ? maa he run and come he run and come

54. What happens? The coordinate sentences sound odd. The coordinate sentences sound odd. They could be acceptable in certain contexts. In that case, the two verbs express two motions, and consequently, two paths. They could be acceptable in certain contexts. In that case, the two verbs express two motions, and consequently, two paths.

55. Summary SVCs can code two subevents which are performed by the same agent, and occur simultaneously. (Manner SVCs, posture SVCs, directional SVCs) SVCs can code two subevents which are performed by the same agent, and occur simultaneously. (Manner SVCs, posture SVCs, directional SVCs) The two verbs in these SVCs express events-facets which are not separable from one another. The two verbs in these SVCs express events-facets which are not separable from one another. These SVCs provide a detailed description of a single event. These SVCs provide a detailed description of a single event.

56. Summary SVCs can code two subevents which occur in sequence without an intervening time span. (Sequential SVCs, resultative SVCs). SVCs can code two subevents which occur in sequence without an intervening time span. (Sequential SVCs, resultative SVCs). The second event constitutes an expected consequence or result of the first one. The second event constitutes an expected consequence or result of the first one.

57. Summary Alternative ways of describing similar situations: Alternative ways of describing similar situations: Serial verb constructions Serial verb constructions Coordinate constructions Coordinate constructions Subordinate constructions Subordinate constructions Constructions with prepositional phrases indicating means and manner. Constructions with prepositional phrases indicating means and manner.

58. Summary SVCs seem to assign an additional meaning. The events coded by SVCs are more fused than those coded by the alternative constructions. SVCs seem to assign an additional meaning. The events coded by SVCs are more fused than those coded by the alternative constructions. The fusion of events by SVCs gives rise to the conceptualization that the events constitute a complex, elaborate but relatively undifferentiated whole. The fusion of events by SVCs gives rise to the conceptualization that the events constitute a complex, elaborate but relatively undifferentiated whole.

59. Condition for that conceptualization The condition on semantic and pragmatic associations between serial verbs: SVCs must consist of verbs which are semantically and pragmatically associated in the following ways. 1. The serial verbs must express scenes which are possible to take place in the real world. 2. The possible scenes must be prototypical or conventionalized in the real world.

60. Observations The prototypicality and conventionality of scenes are culturally bound. The prototypicality and conventionality of scenes are culturally bound. The scenes must be prototypical and conventional in the native speakers real world. The scenes must be prototypical and conventional in the native speakers real world.

61. Examples of ill-formed SVCs, which violate this condition (60) * kha w yo k m kh pkhun he raise hands thank he raise hands thank (61) * kha w phaya kna a laa he nod bid farewell he nod bid farewell In (60) and (61), the first verbs do not express conventional means and manner in performing the actions indicated by the second verbs. In (60) and (61), the first verbs do not express conventional means and manner in performing the actions indicated by the second verbs.

62. (62) *kha w kwa k m fa a fayd (62) *kha w kwa k m fa a fayd he wave hands violate red light he wave hands violate red light (63) *kha w kha p ro t ri ak he drive car call he drive car call In (62) and (63), we cannot conceive of the situations in which the actions expressed by the first and the second verbs are performed simultaneously. In (62) and (63), we cannot conceive of the situations in which the actions expressed by the first and the second verbs are performed simultaneously.

63. (64) * kha w pi plaa kl n he grill fish swallow he grill fish swallow (65) * kha w sa k pha a ri it he wash clothes iron he wash clothes iron Sentences (64) and (65) express plausible sequences of events but the events did not occur right after each other. Sentences (64) and (65) express plausible sequences of events but the events did not occur right after each other.

64. (66) * kha w ye p s a ha yy m he sew shirt lend he sew shirt lend (67) * kha w cu t bu ri i thi (67) * kha w cu t bu ri i thi he light cigarette throw away he light cigarette throw away Sentences (66) and (67) do not express conventionalized scenes or prototypical sequences of events in the real world. Sentences (66) and (67) do not express conventionalized scenes or prototypical sequences of events in the real world.

65. (68) * kha w hu kha aw d at he cook rice boil he cook rice boil (69) * kha w chi ik kra da at ya p he tear paper wrinkled he tear paper wrinkled Sentences (68)-(69) do not express conventionalized sequences of causing and resulting events. Sentences (68)-(69) do not express conventionalized sequences of causing and resulting events. The sequences of events in (68)-(69) are practically not possible to take place. The sequences of events in (68)-(69) are practically not possible to take place.

66. (70) * kha w d n la p he walk fall asleep he walk fall asleep (71) * kha w n n khi i ca kkayaan he sleep ride bicycle he sleep ride bicycle The sequences of events in (70)-(71) are practically impossible to perform simultaneously by the same person. The sequences of events in (70)-(71) are practically impossible to perform simultaneously by the same person. It is impossible for the two events to take place simultaneously in the real world. It is impossible for the two events to take place simultaneously in the real world.

67. The conceptualization of the events in (60)- (71) as a complex, elaborate, undifferentiated whole is not possible because the SVCs in (60)-(71) violates the condition on semantic and pragmatic associations between serial verbs.

68. Conclusion SVCs are different from the other alternative constructions (coordinate constructions, subordinate constructions, constructions with PPs indicating means and manner) in that SVCs are used to encode complex, elaborate events which are conceptualized as a fused and undifferentiated whole. SVCs are different from the other alternative constructions (coordinate constructions, subordinate constructions, constructions with PPs indicating means and manner) in that SVCs are used to encode complex, elaborate events which are conceptualized as a fused and undifferentiated whole.

69. Conclusion The events encoded by SVCs are complex and elaborate in two ways. The events encoded by SVCs are complex and elaborate in two ways. The subevents are performed by the same agent and occur simultaneously. They represent event-facets of a single objective event. The subevents are performed by the same agent and occur simultaneously. They represent event-facets of a single objective event. The subevents occur at the same place and in sequence without a noticeable time span in between The subevents occur at the same place and in sequence without a noticeable time span in between

70. Conclusion The conceptualization of the events in SVCs as a complex but undifferentiated whole requires that SVCs obey the condition on semantic and pragmatic associations between serial verbs. The conceptualization of the events in SVCs as a complex but undifferentiated whole requires that SVCs obey the condition on semantic and pragmatic associations between serial verbs. The serial verbs must express possible scenes in the real world. The serial verbs must express possible scenes in the real world. The possible scenes must be prototypical or conventionalized in the native speakers real world. The possible scenes must be prototypical or conventionalized in the native speakers real world.

71. THE END Thank you for your attention.