On rid and the origin of the get-passive

Authors

  • Junichi Toyota

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18485/analiff.2021.33.1.7

Keywords:

rid, get-passive, reflexive, adversative passive, language contact, Old Norse

Abstract

This paper analyses the history and semantic/functional characteristics of the English verb rid in relation to the development of the get-passive. In earlier occurrences of the get-passive during the Late Modern English period, a serial verb get rid of is frequently found, to the extent that the collocation of get and rid deserves special attention to evaluate the impact of the serial verb on the development of the get-passive. Rid seems to possess some peculiar grammatical characteristics associated with the get-passive and not with the be-passive. In particular, an adversative/benefactive reading, a function not expressed by the passive among the Indo-European languages, can be found in the get-passive. It may be this peculiarity that allows both the get-passive and rid to form a serial verb. Therefore, it is highly possible that rid has had some impact on the development of the get-passive. It is hoped that this paper offers a new piece of evidence to help solve the conundrum of the origin of the get-passive.

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Published

2021-07-09

How to Cite

Toyota, J. . (2021). On rid and the origin of the get-passive. Annals of the Faculty of Philology, 33(1), 113–128. https://doi.org/10.18485/analiff.2021.33.1.7

Issue

Vol. 33 No. 1 (2021): Annals of the Faculty of Philology

Section

Articles

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