THE SYNTAX OF APPLICATIVES IN CHICHEWA - PROBLEMS FOR A THETA THEORETIC ASYMMETRY

A recent paper by Baker (1988b) claims that certain asymmetries in the syntax of applicatives in Chicheŵa derive from an asymmetry in the assignment of the beneficiary and instrumental theta-roles. In this paper we adduce three types of evidence against this theta theoretic asymmetry. First, the facts of Wh-movement, which he presents as evidence for this asymmetry, on closer inspection, are shown not to follow from it. Second, we demonstrate that his claim that beneficiary applicatives cannot be formed from intransitive verbs is incorrect. And, third, we present the facts of locative applicatives, which behave in a manner opposite to what would be expected given the conception of Theta Theory assumed by Baker (1988b). © 1990 Kluwer Academic Publishers.