The Causative/ Anti-causative ALternation in Kurdish (Sorani Dialect)

The causative/anti-causative alternation has engendered theoretical interest within studies of argument structure at the syntax-semantic interface. The two prominanet appraoches to the syntax of the alternation, that is detransivitation and causation, do not posit distinct lexical entries for the alternation. In other words, these approaches build on the idea that one of the two alternants is derived from the other one. The purpose of this articl; however, is to show, based on Kurdish data, that there is not a derivational two-way relationship between the alternants in the alternation. Rather, it argues that both alternants are derived from a neutral single lexical entry. In so doing, evidence will be drawn from the existence of morphological variations on these alternations, verb selections and restrictions, and the contribution of prepositional phrase in relation to external argument. It will also be argued that agentivity and causativity are introduced to the structure as different projections, with the passive projecting a voice projection, while the anti-causative does not so.