Constructed middles in Marori: an LFG analysis

Abstract

This paper discusses middles in Marori (Isolate, TNG; Indonesian Papua), contributing to the theoretical debate as to the best approach to middles. Marori data on middles shows that the valence and transitivity of a middle structure is constructed in both morphology and syntax. However, certain lexical properties of the predicate (e.g. inherent reflexivity) are important. It is demonstrated that LFG’s parallel structure model is well suited to handle the properties of middles in Marori. Drawing insights from earlier LFG works on reflexives/reciprocals (Alsina 1996, Dalrymple et al. 1998, Rákosi 2008, Hurst 2010), a lexical-constructional analysis in LFG to account for the interface of morphology-syntax-semantics of middle expressions in Marori is proposed.