Re-considering 'verbs like gustar' - insights from linguistic theory and empirical research
Author ORCID Identifier
Document Type
Paper Presentation
Presenter Language
English
Research Area
Applied linguistics, Second language acquisition, Syntax, Theoretical linguistics
Location
MBSC Gallery Room 308
Start Date
17-10-2024 12:30 PM
End Date
17-10-2024 1:00 PM
Abstract
Spanish gustar (‘to like’) is a psych(ological) verb, part of a broad class of verbs which denote a mental or emotional state (Belletti & Rizzi, 1998). Within the Spanish classroom, gustar is often introduced as a prototype, and the term ‘verbs like gustar’ has been widely adopted to facilitate the learning of similar verbs. In this proposal, we critically examine this term, incorporating insights from linguistic theory and empirical research to consider its implications for classroom teaching and learning.
Within linguistic theory, three classes of Spanish psych verbs have been identified (Belletti & Rizzi, 1998; Parodi-Lewin, 1991), based on the syntactic function (nominative, accusative, or dative) of the semantic experiencer (Table 1). Note that Class II verbs, like molestar (‘to bother’), allow an alternation between the accusative and dative, while true Class III verbs, like gustar, allow only the dative. In fact, Class II verbs display much greater syntactic variability in general, while Class III verbs are much more restricted (Babcock, 1970; Parodi-Lewin, 1991; Vázquez Rozas, 2006; Whitley, 1995).
Yet, both types of object experiencer psych verbs (Class II and III) are often categorized as ‘verbs like gustar’ in textbooks (e.g., Heining-Boynton & Cowell, 2012). This can be misleading, as Class II verbs behave like gustar in some ways, but not in others. Recent findings from empirical studies conducted with L2 classroom learners suggest that this miscategorization may play a role in the acquisition of these verbs. For example, Gonzalez (2023) found that L2 classroom learners have difficulties acquiring the formal semantic feature settings associated with individual Class II verbs. These findings will be explored in greater detail as we re-consider the term ‘verbs like gustar’ with the objective of establishing connections between theory, research, and pedagogy.
Table 1. Classification of psych verbs in Spanish
Class I
Nominative experiencer
temer
Mateo teme el perro.
‘Mateo fears the dog.’
Class II
Accusative experiencer
Dative experiencer
molestar
El ruido molesta a Camilo.
‘The noise bothers Camilo.’
A Camilo le molesta el ruido.
‘The noise bothers Camilo.’
Class III
Dative experiencer
gustar
A Mónica le gustan los libros.
‘Monica likes books.’
References
Babcock, S. (1970). The Syntax of Spanish Reflexive Verbs. The Hague: Mouton.
Belletti, A., & Rizzi, L. (1988). Psych-verbs and θ-theory. Natural Language & Linguistic Theory, 6, 291-352.
Gonzalez, B. (2023). A lexical semantic approach to the L2 acquisition of Spanish psych verbs. Second Language Research, 39(3), 731-758.
Heining-Boynton, A. L., & Cowell, G. S. (2012). ¡Anda! Curso Elemental. Pearson Higher Ed.
Parodi-Lewin, C. (1991). Aspect in the syntax of spanish psych-verbs. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). The University of California, Los Angeles, California.
Vázquez Rozas, V. (2006). Gustar-type verbs. In J. Clancy Clements & J. Yoon, (Eds.), Functional Approaches to Spanish Syntax (pp. 80-114). NY: Palgrave Macmillan.
Whitley, M. S. (1995). Gustar and other psych verbs: A problem in transitivity. Hispania, 573-585.
Re-considering 'verbs like gustar' - insights from linguistic theory and empirical research
MBSC Gallery Room 308
Spanish gustar (‘to like’) is a psych(ological) verb, part of a broad class of verbs which denote a mental or emotional state (Belletti & Rizzi, 1998). Within the Spanish classroom, gustar is often introduced as a prototype, and the term ‘verbs like gustar’ has been widely adopted to facilitate the learning of similar verbs. In this proposal, we critically examine this term, incorporating insights from linguistic theory and empirical research to consider its implications for classroom teaching and learning.
Within linguistic theory, three classes of Spanish psych verbs have been identified (Belletti & Rizzi, 1998; Parodi-Lewin, 1991), based on the syntactic function (nominative, accusative, or dative) of the semantic experiencer (Table 1). Note that Class II verbs, like molestar (‘to bother’), allow an alternation between the accusative and dative, while true Class III verbs, like gustar, allow only the dative. In fact, Class II verbs display much greater syntactic variability in general, while Class III verbs are much more restricted (Babcock, 1970; Parodi-Lewin, 1991; Vázquez Rozas, 2006; Whitley, 1995).
Yet, both types of object experiencer psych verbs (Class II and III) are often categorized as ‘verbs like gustar’ in textbooks (e.g., Heining-Boynton & Cowell, 2012). This can be misleading, as Class II verbs behave like gustar in some ways, but not in others. Recent findings from empirical studies conducted with L2 classroom learners suggest that this miscategorization may play a role in the acquisition of these verbs. For example, Gonzalez (2023) found that L2 classroom learners have difficulties acquiring the formal semantic feature settings associated with individual Class II verbs. These findings will be explored in greater detail as we re-consider the term ‘verbs like gustar’ with the objective of establishing connections between theory, research, and pedagogy.
Table 1. Classification of psych verbs in Spanish
Class I
Nominative experiencer
temer
Mateo teme el perro.
‘Mateo fears the dog.’
Class II
Accusative experiencer
Dative experiencer
molestar
El ruido molesta a Camilo.
‘The noise bothers Camilo.’
A Camilo le molesta el ruido.
‘The noise bothers Camilo.’
Class III
Dative experiencer
gustar
A Mónica le gustan los libros.
‘Monica likes books.’
References
Babcock, S. (1970). The Syntax of Spanish Reflexive Verbs. The Hague: Mouton.
Belletti, A., & Rizzi, L. (1988). Psych-verbs and θ-theory. Natural Language & Linguistic Theory, 6, 291-352.
Gonzalez, B. (2023). A lexical semantic approach to the L2 acquisition of Spanish psych verbs. Second Language Research, 39(3), 731-758.
Heining-Boynton, A. L., & Cowell, G. S. (2012). ¡Anda! Curso Elemental. Pearson Higher Ed.
Parodi-Lewin, C. (1991). Aspect in the syntax of spanish psych-verbs. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). The University of California, Los Angeles, California.
Vázquez Rozas, V. (2006). Gustar-type verbs. In J. Clancy Clements & J. Yoon, (Eds.), Functional Approaches to Spanish Syntax (pp. 80-114). NY: Palgrave Macmillan.
Whitley, M. S. (1995). Gustar and other psych verbs: A problem in transitivity. Hispania, 573-585.