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In:Theoretical Issues in the Languages of the Caucasus
Edited by Ümit Atlamaz, Ömer Demirok and Balkız Öztürk
[Linguistik Aktuell/Linguistics Today 294] 2026
► pp. 18–67

Chapter 1
The diverse argument structures of Georgian subject-experiencer predicates

This content is being prepared for publication; it may be subject to changes.
Abstract
We propose an analysis of Georgian psych-verbs, identifying a surprising syntactic distinction between two classes of Subject-Experiencer (SubjExp) predicates. While prior work on psych-verbs identifies distinct argument structures associated with different sets of lexical verbs, we argue that Georgian SubjExp verbs reveal a principled correlation between argument structure and aspectual interpretation. In Georgian, psych-verbs have different morphological forms depending on whether they denote a state or a dynamic transition into a state. Stative SubjExp verbs are based on a nominal predicate, with two external arguments: the Stimulus, introduced by a copula verb, and the Experiencer, introduced by a higher applicative head. Dynamic SubjExp verbs have an unaccusative structure, encoding an abstract change of location in which the Experiencer functions as the mental Location, and the Stimulus as the Theme. This analysis accounts for contrasts between the two classes in their morphological form, binding possibilities, and agreement with third-person plural arguments.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Psych-verbs do not have a unified template
  • 3.Georgian experiencer predicates: Descriptive generalizations
    • 3.1Semantic interpretation
      • 3.1.1Stative interpretation of imperfective SubjExp verbs
      • 3.1.2Inchoative interpretation of perfective SubjExp verbs
    • 3.2Morphology of stative and inchoative SubjExp verbs
      • 3.2.1Morphology of stative SubjExp verbs
      • 3.2.2Morphology of perfective SubjExp verbs
    • 3.3Case properties
    • 3.43rd person plural agreement
    • 3.5Hierarchical relations
      • 3.5.1Stative SubjExp verbs
      • 3.5.2Inchoative SubjExp verbs
      • 3.5.3Non-psych verbs
      • 3.5.4Causatives of bivalent SubjExp verbs
  • 4.Analysis
    • 4.1Inchoative bivalent SubjExp verbs
    • 4.2Stative SubjExp verbs
    • 4.3Var/xar agreement in the present tense
    • 4.4Future statives
  • 5.Monovalent SubjExp verbs
    • 5.1Descriptive properties
    • 5.2Causatives of monovalent SubjExp verbs
  • 6.Discussion and conclusions
  • Notes
  • The following abbreviations are used below
  • References
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