Accusative-Dative Alternation in Gagauz Based on the Code-Copying Model

Abstract

The subject of thisstudy isthe differing valency structuresin Gagauz in terms of accusative and dative case marking. In this study, valency alternation is analyzed from the perspective of a syntactic structure in Gagauz where a verb, under the same syntactic-semantic conditions, can require either an accusative or a dative case. This kind of alternation between accusative and dative case is frequent in Gagauz syntax. In the relevant literature, this phenomenon is generally described as a functional shift between case markers. Yet unlike previous studies, this research approaches valency alternation in the context of language contact. The theoretical framework is based on Johanson’s model of code copying. Based on the code copying model, the alternation between accusative and dative case marking is seen as the result of Slavic language influence. This is because Gagauz people have shared the same geographic area with Slavic communities for centuries, which—alongside historical,social, cultural, politicalrelations—hasled to linguistic interaction. Thus, Gagauz has developed many borrowed features from dominant Slavic languages in various levels of linguistic structure, including the lexicon, phonology, morphology, and syntax. The valency alternation observed in Gagauz between accusative and dative case marking represents a typical example of morpho-syntactic borrowing. The aim of this study is to highlight the differing valency structures in Gagauz regarding accusative and dative case marking and to analyze these differences from a language contact perspective. It is concluded that this linguistic pattern seen in Gagauz as the dative marking instead of the accusative, and the accusative marking instead of the dative are selected copies according to the copying model.