A Cross-linguistic Study on Passivization of Double Object Constructions

The asymmetric passivization patterns of Double Object Constructions (DOCs) have been receiving great attention in Generative Grammar.In order to explain these asymmetric patterns, Chomsky (1981, 1986), Larson (1988), among others, adopt the Inherent Case-based account, while McGinnis (2001, 2005), Anagnostopoulou (2003), among others, adopt the locality-based account.With the development of cross-linguistic studies, the old flavors, however, run into many problems.This paper discusses their shortcomings and limitations, and suggests that the structural Case-based account can explain the asymmetric passivization patterns of DOCs in a comprehensive, unitary and simple way.