Definition
Experiencer is the semantic role of an entity (or referent) which
- receives
- accepts
- experiences, or
- undergoes the effect of an action.
Discussion
Normally an experiencer is an entity that receives a sensory impression, or in some other way is the locus of some event or activity that involves neither volition nor a change of state.
Examples
(English)
He was scared.
Lucretia saw the bicycle.
It was Bill who smelled the bacon first.
The explosion was heard by everyone.
Sources 2
- Longacre 1983, 155
- Payne, T. 1997a, 50