FOREGROUNDING AND PERSPECTIVE: ERGATIVE VERBS IN LITERARY TEXTS

This study examines the use of ergative verbs in literary texts, focusing on their stylistic and semantic effects. Ergative verbs, which alternate between transitive and intransitive constructions, are frequently employed by authors to foreground actions, highlight the patient or theme, and manipulate narrative perspective. Through textual analysis of English novels and short stories, the paper identifies patterns in the deployment of ergative verbs, explores their contribution to thematic and narrative structure, and assesses translation considerations. Drawing on the theoretical insights of Levin and Rappaport Hovav, Dixon, Crystal, and Goldberg, the study shows that ergative verbs provide flexibility in narrative focus and can enhance literary expressiveness. Awareness of ergativity is crucial for both literary analysis and accurate translation of stylistically nuanced texts.