MODERN LINGUISTIC INTERPRETATIONS OF ERGATIVITY

This article explores modern linguistic interpretations of ergativity as a complex syntactic-semantic phenomenon. Traditionally associated with ergative-absolutive alignment systems, ergativity has increasingly been examined within nominative-accusative languages, particularly English. The study analyzes major theoretical approaches to ergativity, including typological, generative, lexical-semantic, and cognitive-constructional frameworks. Special attention is given to ergative verbs in English, their argument structure, valency patterns, and the interaction between syntax and semantics. Drawing on the works of Dixon, Comrie, Levin and Rappaport Hovav, Alexiadou, Goldberg, and Crystal, the paper demonstrates that ergativity cannot be reduced to purely syntactic alternation. Instead, it represents an interface phenomenon involving verb semantics, argument realization, and conceptualization. The findings highlight the necessity of an integrative approach to ergativity, which has important implications for linguistic theory, translation studies, and language pedagogy.