Eventivity of Extension and Orientation

Abstract

Jackendoff (1983, 1990, 1996) categorizes Extension (e.g. The sidewalk goes around the tree.) and Orientation (e.g. The sign points to Philadelphia.) as State. However, there are some similarities between these types and Motion (e.g. John ran into the house.), which contains GOAL and Path, and is categorized as Event. This means that it is more appropriate to treat Extension and Orientation as Event instead of State. Four semantic tests were conducted: (1) what happened test, (2) the simple present test, (3) perception verb complement test, and (4) believe-type complement test. The results of these tests show that Extension and Orientation have eventivity. This eventivity reflects mental scanning. In our mind, we scan the shape of a long object such as a road and look towards the direction that an object such as a road sign points out. In brief, the movement of our mental eyes is involved in Extension and Orientation. This study concludes that even if they describe static situations, Extension and Orientation should be classified as Event proposition.