Functional Analysis of Akatek Voice Constructions

Abstract

1. Introduction.In this study I investigate the correlation between syntactic structure and pragmatic function of voice alternations in Akatek, a Mayan language of the Q'anjob'alan subgroup.1In Mayan linguistics, voice has been an area of intensive research since the mid-seventies.Past investigations of Mayan voice have moved along three main lines.There have been, first, descriptive studies in which the morphosyntax of several voice alternations in particular languages was reported (Smith-Stark 1976, Bricker 1978, Craig 1979, Mondloch 1981, Ayres 1983, Dayley 1985, and England 1988, inter alia).Second, there have been a number of comparative and contrastive studies probing the morphosyntactic similarities of voice constructions in different Mayan languages (Smith-Stark 1978 and Dayley 1983, inter alia).Third, there have been more formal discussions, mostly within the Relational Grammar framework (e.g., Aissen 1990), that endeavor to interpret the various alternations of transitive clauses as purely formal devices in which the grammatical status of clausal arguments (subject, object, indirect object) is re-evaluated from a hypothetical "earlier" ("underlying") stratum to an attested "final" ("surface") stratum.The discussion of voice in Mayan languages received a boost from studies of Australian languages and Eskimo, where it was demonstrated that the antipassive voice construction is one of the most recognizable constructions in ergative languages.In that connection, Smith-Stark (1976; 1978) introduced the term "antipassive" into Mayan linguistics, for the purpose of describing a process of detransitivization of semantically transitive, two-argument predicates in which the agent maintains the grammatical role of subject, while the object/patient is suppressed or demoted to oblique.This research was made possible through financial support from the Universidad de Guadalajara and the Fulbright-LASPAU program.Aid from these institutions is greatly appreciated.I am especially indebted to mi tocayo Franco and his extended family, Andr6s Juan, Jorge Andr6s, and Juana M6ndez from San Miguel Acatan, and Eduardo Martinez (from San Rafael la Independencia), who have patiently taught me what I know about their language.Special

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