Verbal Valency in Lekh Dothraki

Abstract

Lekh Dothraki (Dothraki Language) is one of the constructed languages in the fictional world of Game of Thrones. Developed by David J. Peterson, it exhibits linguistic features that combine elements of natural languages with fictional creations. This study uses both descriptive and contrastive approaches. From a descriptive perspective, it analyzes the valential behaviors of Dothraki verbs in terms of argument number and valency alternation. As a result of these analyses, it reveals that Dothraki verbs govern one, two, or three arguments, mark these arguments with case inflection in the surface structure, and assign semantic functions to them in the deep structure. Regarding valency alternation, the language employs seven morphosyntactic techniques to retain (durativization, dynamicization, particle use, and reversivization), increase (causativization), and decrease (passivization and reflexivization) argument number. From a contrastive perspective, this study also compares the valency properties of Dothraki verbs with those of natural languages in terms of avalent verbs, labile verbs, and morphosyntactic differences. Building on the descriptive and contrastive analyses, this study concludes that Dothraki behaves similarly to natural languages.

Keywords

• Lekh Dothraki
• Game of Thrones
• verbal valency
• descriptive linguistics
• contrastive analysis

Thanks

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Dr. İbrahim ÖZAKMAN for taking his time to read this study and providing constructive feedback, and to Lecturer Neslichan MOUMIN for her assistance with the Greek section of this work.

Lekh Dothraki’de Eylemsel İstem

Abstract

Lekh Dothraki (Dothraki Dili), kurgusal Game of Thrones evrenindeki yapay dillerden biridir. David J. Peterson tarafından geliştirilen dil, doğal dillerdeki ögeleri kurgusal yaratımlarla birleştiren dilsel özellikler sergilemektedir. Bu çalışmada hem betimlemeli hem de karşıtsal yaklaşım kullanılmıştır. Betimlemeli bir bakış açısıyla Dothraki’deki eylemlerin istemsel davranışları, üye sayısı ve istem değiştirimi açısından incelenmiştir. Bu incelemelerin sonucunda Dothraki’deki eylemlerin bir, iki veya üç üye yönettiği, bu üyeleri yüzey yapıda durum işletimiyle işaretlediği ve derin yapıda onlara anlamsal işlevler yüklediği görülmüştür. İstem değiştirimiyle ilgili olarak dil; üye sayısını korumak (sürerlileştirme, dinamikleştirme, parçacık kullanımı ve tersine çevirme), artırmak (ettirgenleştirme) ve azaltmak (edilgenleştirme ve dönüşlüleştirme) için yedi biçimbilgisel veya sözdizimsel yöntem kullanmaktadır. Karşıtsal bir bakış açısıyla bu çalışma; aynı zamanda istemsiz eylemler, değişken eylemler ve biçimbilgisel veya sözdizimsel farklılıklar açısından Dothraki’deki eylemlerin istem özelliklerini doğal dillerinkilerle karşılaştırmaktadır. Betimlemeli ve karşıtsal incelemelere dayanarak bu çalışmada Dothraki’nin doğal dillere benzer şekilde davranış sergilediği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.

Keywords

• Lekh Dothraki
• Game of Thrones
• eylemsel istem
• betimlemeli dilbilim
• karşıtsal çözümleme

Thanks

Değerli vaktinden ayırarak bu çalışmayı okuması ve yapıcı eleştirileriyle katkıda bulunması nedeniyle Dr. İbrahim ÖZAKMAN'a ve çalışmanın Yunanca bölümüyle ilgili yardımları için Öğr. Gör. Neslichan MOUMIN'e sonsuz teşekkürlerimi sunarım.

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