Semantic macrorole

In Role and Reference Grammar, the semantic macroroles are the two generalized semantic roles actor and undergoer.


 * "The second type of semantic roles is generalized semantic roles, 'actor' and 'undergoer'. These are the two primary arguments of a transitive predication, either one of which may be the single argument of an intransitive verb." (Van Valin 2005:60)

Synonyms
The semantic macroroles of RRG very roughly correspond to
 * hyperroles (in Aleksandr E. Kibrik's work)
 * protoroles (in David Dowty's work)

Reference

 * Van Valin, Robert D., Jr. 2005. Exploring the syntax-semantics interface. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Other languages
German semantische Makrorolle Spanish macropapel semántico