Ainu Causatives

Anna BUGAEVA

In my presentation, I analyze causative constructions in Ainu (Southern Hokkaido). Ainu has a number of morphological causatives but only the productive -e/-te/-re and -yar have been regarded as causatives so far. Less productive derivations in -V, -ke and -ka have been regarded as transitives which explains little in terms of their functions. I suggest that -V, -ke and -ka should be also regarded as causatives with respect to their syntax and functions. However, I show that there is a major semantic difference between the two types of causatives, i.e. -V, -ke and -ka mark contact (=direct) factitive causation, while the productive -yar and -e/-te/-re mark distant (=indirect) factitive and permissive causation.