Old Turkic syntax: from valency theory to construction grammar

Abstract

The analysis of Old Turkic syntax benefits greatly from the verb-focused approach of Valency Theory. This study, however, identifies a significant gap in its application, arguing that the theory, when used in isolation, cannot fully account for the language's dynamic and complex syntactic constructions. A model based solely on the valency frames of single verbs fails to adequately explain the argument structures of highly frequent phenomena such as compound verbs ḳul bol- ‘to become a slave’, idiomatic expressions nefs butını sı- ‘to subdue the ego’, and the pragmatically governed flexibility of word order. To address these shortcomings, this paper proposes an integrated analytical framework that enhances the lexical foundation of Valency Theory with key insights from Construction Grammar and Information Structure. This multi-layered approach posits that: 1. Valency Theory identifies the core participants licensed by the verb. 2. Construction Grammar accounts for how meaning and argument structure can be inherited from larger syntactic patterns (constructions) themselves, not just the verb. 3. Information Structure explains the function of word order variations as a means to encode communicative goals like topic and focus. Through the analysis of various examples from Old Turkic texts, this study demonstrates that the proposed integrated model offers a more competent and explanatory tool than any single theory alone. It moves beyond static descriptions to better model the productive and multi-faceted nature of Old Turkic syntax, thereby offering a new perspective for historical Turkic linguistics and exemplifying the application of contemporary theories to historical languages.

Keywords

• Old Turkic syntax
• valency theory
• construction grammar
• information structure
• argument structure

Eski Türkçe Söz Dizimi: İstem Teorisinden Yapı Dil Bilgisine Bütünleşik Bir Perspektif

Öz

The analysis of Old Turkic syntax benefits greatly from the verb-focused approach of Valency Theory. This study, however, identifies a significant gap in its application, arguing that the theory, when used in isolation, cannot fully account for the language's dynamic and complex syntactic constructions. A model based solely on the valency frames of single verbs fails to adequately explain the argument structures of highly frequent phenomena such as compound verbs ḳul bol- ‘to become a slave’, idiomatic expressions nefs butını sı- ‘to subdue the ego’, and the pragmatically governed flexibility of word order. To address these shortcomings, this paper proposes an integrated analytical framework that enhances the lexical foundation of Valency Theory with key insights from Construction Grammar and Information Structure. This multi-layered approach posits that: 1. Valency Theory identifies the core participants licensed by the verb. 2. Construction Grammar accounts for how meaning and argument structure can be inherited from larger syntactic patterns (constructions) themselves, not just the verb. 3. Information Structure explains the function of word order variations as a means to encode communicative goals like topic and focus. Through the analysis of various examples from Old Turkic texts, this study demonstrates that the proposed integrated model offers a more competent and explanatory tool than any single theory alone. It moves beyond static descriptions to better model the productive and multi-faceted nature of Old Turkic syntax, thereby offering a new perspective for historical Turkic linguistics and exemplifying the application of contemporary theories to historical languages.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Old Turkic syntax
• valency theory
• construction grammar
• information structure
• argument structure

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