SILGLOBALGlossary of
Linguistic Terms

Glossary term F

Force As A Semantic Role

Definition

Force is the semantic role of an entity that instigates an action, but not consciously or voluntarily.

Discussion

Force is distinct from agent because an agent is volitional, while a force is not.

See also

Agent As A Semantic Role

Sources 1

  1. Payne, T. 1997a, 49
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