Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.31724/rihjj.51.2.2
Are reflexive verbs really reflexive?
Branimir Belaj
orcid.org/0000-0002-2334-9673
; Filozofski fakultet Sveučilišta Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku
Abstract
Applying the theoretical-methodological apparatus of Cognitive Grammar (Langacker 1987, 1991, 2008) and some theoretical approaches to grammaticalization (Heine and Reh 1984, Traugott and König 1991, Lehmann 1995, Traugott and Dasher 2001, Hopper and Traugott 2003), the paper calls into question one of the most deeply rooted notions in the Croatian grammatical tradition, viz. the so-called povratni glagoli (reflexive verbs). Since this notion is not backed by any synchronic semantic, pragmatic and syntactic arguments, we propose that it be replaced with that of medijalni glagoli (middle verbs). Assuming the semantic parameter of the relative elaboration of events (Kemmer 1993, 1994 and for the Croatian language Belaj 2023: 63–90, 2024), we contrast, on the one hand, the middle schematic meaning, which is marked by a low degree of event structure elaboration and a low degree of participant distinguishability and includes the particle se as a general middle marker, with the transitive meaning of the pronoun sebe as a reflexive marker, on the other. The latter has opposite values on the parameter of the relative elaboration of events, i.e. a high degree of event elaboration and a high degree of participant distinguishability. Accordingly, we question the validity of the term povratna zamjenica / povratne konstrukcije (reflexive pronoun / reflexive constructions) even when it appears in the heavy form sebe, and argue that this term is semantically untenable for the aforementioned constructions. Finally, we propose that middle verbs should be classified ranging from more prototypical to more peripheral elaborations of the mentioned schematic meaning, and we submit their new classification.
Keywords
reflexive verbs; middle verbs; reflexive pronoun; relative elaboration of events; transitivity; intransitivity
Hrčak ID:
343616
URI
Publication date:
31.1.2026.
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