What is Theta theory? Which parts of grammar does it affect?

MEG – 04: Aspects of Language

ASSIGNMENT 2019 - 2020

                                                                          Max. Marks: 100

3. What is Theta theory? Which parts of grammar does it affect? Discuss with examples of your own. 

Answer.: Thematic theory, or theta theory, is a sub-theory of universal Grammar, which deals with the valency requirements of verbs. As I mentioned in the previous section, it incorporates a set of principles regulating the assignment of thematic roles. In this way, Riemsdijk (1986) defines theta theory as the basic logical notion “argument of”, a notion that any theory of Grammar must account for. He goes on to add that the aim of this theory is to determine which NP can be an argument of a verb. That’s why to designate arguments of a verb, terms as agent, goal, patient ...are commonly used.

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