Defining Serial Verb Constructions in Thai: A Role and Reference Grammar Approach

The Serial Verb Construction (SVC) is a syntactic phenomenon that has been extensively observed in many languages cross-linguistically. Broadly speaking, SVCs consist of multiple concatenated lexical verbs in a mono-clausal structure. Discussion regarding a narrower definition of SVCs more recently has led to the proposal of multiple typological generalisations. Prominent cross-linguistic features of SVCs include the aforementioned mono-clausality, the lack of linking elements between component verbs as well as intonational and temporal properties (Haspelmath 2016, Bisang 2009, Aikenvald 2006). In the context of Thai, Thepkanjana (1986) is one of the first to analyse and form of a typology of SVCs in Thai, however her classification relies on an extremely broad definition for SVCs that was standard among earlier analyses. Sudmuk (2005) analysed the semantics and syntax of SVCs in Thai, utilizing the Lexical-Functional Grammar framework, and forming her own typology. Studies questioning the status of certain SVCs (e.g. Muansuwan 2002) causes a chasm on what constitutes as a SVC and how it would fit into a wider typology. My study proposes a classification for Thai SVCs which aligns itself more with previous typological literature. My study utilises the Role and Reference Grammar (RRG) framework (Foley & Van Valin 1984) as the syntactic base, with sub-categories based on symmetry of each SVC. RRG is a framework that has been advantageous in describing SVCs in the past (e.g. Jarkey 2015, Caesar 2016), yet is novel to the study of Thai SVCs. The subclausal linkage of units is described in RRG in terms of junctures and nexus relations is advantageous and forms the foundation for my classification of Thai SVCs. In order to empirically test for SVC status, I have made good use of Fan’s (2016) thesis which explores and proposes diagnostics to test for SVC status. Specifically, the tests I have applied include Passivisation of the object of V2, Negation and Independent Temporal Properties. The results show varied success with differing diagnostics. Passivisation of the object of V2 only demonstrated consistency with Instrumental and Benefactive SVCs, displaying inconsistent results with Purposive and Causative SVCs and being completely unapplicable to Cause-Effect SVCs and both Posture and Motion SVCs. On the other hand, the negation test demonstrated consistent results with all SVC types apart from (open class) Cause-Effect SVCs. Moreover, the Macro-Event Properties (Bohnemeyer et. al 2007) of all SVC types displayed single event-hood, which conforms with previous SVC literature. Based on these diagnostic results, I have evaluated several of the diagnostics that test for the defining properties of SVCs in Thai, particularly the Passivisation of the object of V2, which is novel and has received little prior application. With the results, I have constructed a typology of SVCs in Thai, based on the subclausal linkage concepts laid out by RRG, which aligns itself with cross-linguistic attestation.