Active–stative language

An active–stative language (active language for short), also commonly called a split intransitive language, is a language in which the sole argument ("subject") of an intransitive clause (often symbolized as S) is sometimes marked in the same way as an agent of a transitive verb (that is, like a subject such as "I" or "she" in English) but other times in the same way as a direct object (such as "me" or "her" in English).

The case or agreement of the intransitive argument (S) depends on semantic or lexical criteria particular to each language. The criteria tend to be based on the degree of volition, or control over the verbal action exercised by the participant.

For example, if one tripped and fell, an active–stative language might require them to say the equivalent of "fell me." To say "I fell" would mean that the person had done it on purpose, such as taking a fall in boxing. Another possibility is empathy; for example, if someone's dog were run over by a car, one might say the equivalent of "died her." To say "she died" would imply that the person was not affected emotionally.

If the core arguments of a transitive clause are termed A (agent of a transitive verb) and P (patient of a transitive verb), active–stative languages can be described as languages that align intransitive S as S = P/O∗∗ ("me fell") or S = A ("I fell"), depending on the criteria described above.

Active–stative languages contrast with accusative languages such as English that generally align S as S = A, and to ergative languages that generally align S as S = P/O∗∗.

∗∗Care should be taken when reasoning about language structure- specifically, reasoning about syntactic roles (S=subject/ O=object) is sometimes hard to separate from reasoning about semantic functions (A=agent/ P=patient). Consider the example "me fell". In some languages, this form is regarded as less impersonal and more empathic. French uses vous in formal/public/plural contexts, but uses tu in personal contexts eg Je t'aime, meaning "I love you" (shortened from Je te aime -SOV order). A problem arises in the (ungrammatical/childspeak in English) sentence "me fell", because, while 'me' is the subject of this sentence (syntax), it is the patient P of the action (semantics). Consequently, it is normally considered the object form of "I", which is why its form is described above as O/P.

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