Université de Montréal - Thèse sous forme numérique

905) Subcategorization. This criterion refers to the syntactic characteristics ofthe verbs: copula, transitive, intransitive verbs, etc. In this respect,discursive verbs are usually transitive verbs. Connective verbs can becopula verbs, transitive verbs with a direct object NP and intransitive verbswith a PP. Phraseological verbs have less restrictions when it comes toverbal subcategorization, i.e. they can be transitive, intransitive with PP orwithout PP. Terminological verbs can be intransitive verbs without PPs ortransitive verbs with a direct object that specifies the event denoted by theverb, e.g. nuclearizar, galvanizar níquel (Eng. nuclearize, to galvanizenickel).6) Semantic relation with the subject. Here, the subject of the verb isdistinguished in terms of its logical relation with the verb: Agent, Cause,Instrument, and Theme. The subjects of discursive verbs are always anAgent corresponding to the author of the texts. They are usually hidden inimpersonal constructions. The subjects of connective verbs are usually anAgent that can also be hidden in impersonal constructions. However, thesubjects of verbs expressing logical relations between two units ofspecialized meaning are usually an object or an abstract concept playing thesemantic role of Theme, Cause, Origin and Place. The subjects ofphraseological verbs and terminological verbs can refer to peoplecontrolling the action (Agent), to natural phenomena, to events and abstractconcepts (Cause), to objects controlled by the Agent (Instrument) and toconcrete objects (Theme or Result).7) Lexical selection. This criterion is used to analyze the combinatoryrestrictions between the verb and its arguments so as to identifyphraseological behaviour. Although the authors do not provide illustrative