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The Transitivity Index: Using Transitivity as a continuous measure to account for clitic case alternation in Spanish causative constructions.

ABSTRACT: In Spanish causative constructions with dejar 'let' and hacer 'make' the subject of the embedded infinitive verb can appear in the accusative or the dative case. This case alternation has been accounted for by resorting to the notion of direct vs. indirect causation. Under this account, the accusative clitic with a transitive verb denotes direct causation while the dative clitic with an intransitive verb expresses indirect causation. The problem with this account is that we lack an independent definition of (in)direct causation in this context and so this approach suffers from circularity: the case of the clitic is used to determine causation type and causation type implies use of one or the other grammatical case. Therefore, a more objective way to account for clitic case alternation is needed. In this paper, I offer one possible solution in this direction by investigating clitic case alternation against Hopper and Thompson's Transitivity parameters and a small number of other linguistic variables. The novelty of this approach is that I operationalise Transitivity as a weighted continuous measure (which I call the Transitivity Index) and use it to predict the case of the clitic. The results indicate that the transitivity of the infinitive verb, the animacy of the object and the agentivity of the subject are strong predictors of clitic case. Moreover, the Transitivity Index clearly shows that higher levels of Transitivity are associated with the dative clitic contrary to other contexts in which accusative is said to be more transitive. The findings in this paper allow us to arrive at a finer-grained characterization of the contexts in which each clitic case is more likely to occur and provide further evidence of the pervasiveness of Transitivity in natural language.

SUBMITTER: Guajardo G

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7906419 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundThe Functional Independence Measure + Functional Assessment Measure (FIM+FAM) Scale is one of the most widely used instruments to measure functional independence post-stroke, and features many cultural adaptations to various languages.AimThe aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of a Spanish cross-cultural adaptation of the FIM+FAM for use in the stroke population.DesignObservational study.SettingOutpatient long-term service of a neurorehabilitation unit.PopulationOne hundred and twenty-two individuals with stroke.MethodsThe functional independence of the participants was assessed with the adapted version of the FIM+FAM. Additionally, the functional, motor and cognitive condition of the participants was assessed with a battery of standardized clinical instruments. Finally, a group of 31 participants out of the total were evaluated a second time with the FIM+FAM by a different evaluator than the one who performed the first evaluation. Internal consistency, inter-rater reliability and convergent validity with other clinical instruments of the adapted version of the FIM+FAM were determined.ResultsThe internal consistency of the adapted version of the FIM+FAM was excellent, as evidenced by Cronbach's α values that exceeded 0.973. The inter-rater reliability was likewise excellent, with correlations above 0.990 in all domains and subscales. Additionally, the convergent validity of the scale adaptation with clinical instruments was variable, with values ranging from 0.264 to 0.983, but consistent with the construct assessed in the different instruments examined.ConclusionsThe internal consistency, inter-rater reliability and convergent validity of the Spanish-adapted version of the FIM+FAM Scale showed excellent reliability and validity of the adaptation, which supports its use to assess functional independence after stroke.Clinical rehabilitation impactAvailability of a valid adaptation for the evaluation of functional independence after stroke in Spanish population.

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The Transitivity Index: Using Transitivity as a continuous measure to account for clitic case alternation in Spanish causative constructions.

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