Theta Roles

Definition

Theta roles can be designated to any argument and describe the number, type and placement of obligatory arguments. These arguments may include noun phrases, prepositional phrases, and embedded clauses.

Two of the most frequently discussed roles in Skwxwu7mesh and Halkomelem are the agent and the patient (also known as theme) roles.

Examples

Example in the Skwxwu7mesh Context where the Intransitive Verb **ts’its’áp’** Necessarily Requires One Agent Theta Role (Jacobs, 2011, p. 47)

References

Jacobs, P. W. (2011). Control in Skwxwu7mesh. [Doctoral dissertation, The University of British Columbia].