Abstract:
To study psych verb constructions with /thii/ as a complementizer in Thai in three respects, namely, the syntactic characteristics of psych verb constructions, their juncture type and their nexus type, based on Role and Reference Grammar. The study shows that psych verb constructions are composed of a subject followed by a psych verb, a complementizer /thii/ and a complement. In terms of semantic, we can divide psych verbs into emotive verbs and psych-action verbs, which are main verbs of the sentences. Syntactic characteristics of these two types of psych verb constructions are also different. Emotive verb constructions are composed of a subject followed by emotive verbs and a complement consisting of a subject and a predicate preceded by a complementizer /thii/ whereas constructions of psych-action verbs are composed of a subject followed by psych-action verbs and complement consisting of a gap and a predicate preceded by a complementizer /thii/. Moreover, it is found that both types of constructions are of the same juncture type, that is, clausal juncture. However, the construction of emotive verbs is made up of two clauses whereas the construction of psych-action verbs is made up of a clause and a core. Considering their nexus types, we have found that the relationship between main clause and its complement of both construction types is subordination. In conclusion, with the framework of Role and Reference Grammar, we can see the internal properties of psych verb constructions in Thai more clearly.