Transitivity and reflexivity in Vedic

Abstract

This research offers an analysis of different middle verb forms in the language of the R̥gveda. The analyzed verbs are classified as most typically one-place, two-place or labile, in order to determine whether the choice of the reflexive strategy is connected with the kind of valency of each case. We observe that the middle voice can function as a reflexive strategy in those classed as typically two-place verbs. On the contrary, typically one-place and labile verbs may require the use of tanū́ -, especially in the accusative case, in order to guarantee a two-place interpretation of the clause. We conclude that a study of the reflexivity based only on verb roots is not enough, as it does not predict the possible transitivity changes related to the diathetic alternations within the same root.