Concept: core argument

Definition

A core argument is an °A-argument, a °P-argument, or an °S-argument, or another argument that is °coded like one of these.

Comments

Core arguments contrast with oblique nominals, defined here as nominals flagged by a flag other than nominative, accusative, ergative and absolutive. The term "core argument" has been current in typological syntax since the 1980s. ❡

Note that the "core" constituent in Role and Reference Grammar may also contain oblique arguments, so that in this context, one needs to talk about "direct (= non-oblique) core arguments" (e.g. Van Valin 2023: 81).

Croft's comparative concept

core arguments (INF):

core arguments (INF) = the most salient arguments associated with a predication. Example: in Sally threw the letter into the wastebasket, Sally and the letter are construed as the most salient arguments; in The letter was thrown into the wastebasket, only the letter is construed as a salient argument. When there are two core arguments, the more salient argument is the subject and the less salient argument is the object. Core arguments are expressed by core argument phrases. (Section 6.1.1)

SIL Glossary

core argument

Quotation

"All languages have grammatical functions because all languages have a contrast of core vs oblique NPs ([−oblique] vs [+oblique]). This is the minimal system of grammatical functions permissible and it does appear that there are languages in which this minimal system is all that there is." (Foley 2007: 392) ❡ In this book, CORE NOMINAL TERMS (or simply CORE TERMS) is the cover term encompassing the nominal terms of verbal clauses fulfilling one of the three TR-roles, A, P, and S. OBLIQUE NOMINAL TERMS (or simply OBLIQUES), symbolized as X, are defined as nominal terms of verbal clauses that do not meet the definition of either A, P, or S." (Creissels 2024: 30)

Sources

Foley 2007; Creissels 2024; Van Valin 2023