The expression of motion in Russian.: Proposal for the workshop 'Neglected aspects of motion-event descriptions Beyond the Path/Manner dichotomy'

Abstract : We argue that the distinctions between satellite vs. verb-framed structures and between split vs. parallel systems may not be sufficient to identify the typological profile of variable systems like Russian. In particular, we focus on Manner-and-Path conflation in verb roots, which is not embraced by Talmy’s framework (2000). There are two different types of Manner-and-Path conflation in Russian and both of them serve to express upward motion. First, such a conflation occurs in morphologically complex verbs (zabrat’sja/zabirat’sja na [derevo] ‘climb up [PF/IMP] [the tree]). Second, Manner-and-Path conflation occurs in (morphologically) simple verbs of motion that constitute a closed class of highly frequent Verbs of Motion (hereafter VoM).