Ergativity

Cambridge Studies in Linguistics

by R.M.W. Dixon

Although there is only one ergative language in Europe (Basque), perhaps one-quarter of the world's languages show ergative properties. R.M.W. Dixon here provides a full survey of the various types of ergativity, looking at the ways they interrelate, their semantic bases and their role in the organization of discourse. Comprehensive, clear, insightful, and illustrated by data from a wide variety of the world's languages, Ergativity will be the standard point of reference for all those interested in the topic.

Genres: Linguistics

296 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 1994

About the author

Robert Malcolm Ward Dixon is a Professor of Linguistics in the College of Arts, Society, and Education and The Cairns Institute, James Cook University, Queensland. He is also Deputy Director of The Language and Culture Research Centre at JCU.

Reviews

[Gary Bruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank God there are linguists like Dixon. Here is someone that believes all languages are equally valid, but who does not make the jump to believing that all languages are underlyingly identical.

Ergativity is a complicated and complex phenomenon, and I will not attempt to summarize or define it here. Suffice it to say that if you want an honest analysis of languages quite removed from English, you should read Ergativity. If you want justification for the belief that all languages are deeply identical, you should read Kayne or Cinque. And then you should read Dixon to find out what linguistics as an empirical science is all about.

As an extended 'case' study of Ergative case systems and their variations, this book is more satisfying than some general treatment found in morphosyntax, syntax, or typology texts.