Converse causative operators and their evolution in the Spanish language

Abstract

This paper studies a group of verbs closely linked to the so-called causative operators: 'converse causative operators' or 'consecutive operators' . From the syntactic-semantic point of view, we show that these verbs share the same structure: they select a subject and a prepositional object; the subject function is performed by predicates interpreted as a consequence, and prepositional object function, by predicates interpreted as a cause. From the historical point of view, we highlight that these operators are the result of different metaphorical processes, which nowadays are not always noticeable to the same extent. The process of their introduction in Spanish is also described.