Institute of Formal and Applied Linguistics
Charles University, Czech Republic
Faculty of Mathematics and Physics
VALLEX
Between Reciprocity and Reflexivity: The Case of Czech Reciprocal Constructions
Reciprocity is generally understood as a complex of forms and patterns of mutuality, exchange
and symmetry. From the linguistic point of view, it is characterized by the fact that some
participants of the situation denoted in the sentence enter into symmetry. The main goal of the
project is to deepen the theoretical description of reciprocity in Czech and to propose its
adequate representation in both the grammar (in the form of formal grammatical rules covering
productive grammatical processes related to reciprocity) and the lexicon.
The project thus stresses a close interplay between theoretical research and its application to
extensive data annotation, which represents a fruitful strategy that fortifies both sides involved.
The theoretical findings will be presented in research publications. Further, the proposed model will be used
in the syntactic and lexicographic description of reciprocity within the electronic lexicon VALLEX -- the lexicon will be enhanced with the information on reciprocity as well as with formal rules for reciprocity within the VALLEX project.