indirectreflexive

Indirectreflexive is a term used in linguistics to describe a subset of reflexive constructions where a reflexive element (such as himself, herself, themselves) binds to an antecedent that is not the syntactic subject of the verb. The concept is not universally standardized; some grammars treat indirect reflexives as ordinary reflexives with expanded licensing, while others define indirect reflexives as a distinct phenomenon found in certain languages and constructions.

In typology, indirect reflexives are reported in languages that allow binding of a reflexive pronoun to non-subject arguments, such as indirect objects, beneficiaries, or experiencers. They often arise in ditransitive structures or in clauses where the action is directed at or for a participant other than the subject.

Morphology and syntax: an indirect reflexive typically involves a reflexive pronoun or clitic that agrees with or refers to a non-subject antecedent, sometimes marked by oblique case or a specialized clitic. Licensing conditions interact with binding theory and the overall clause architecture, and cross-linguistic variations are common.

Semantics: the defining feature is that the reflexive reference targets an argument other than the subject, producing interpretations related to beneficiary, recipient, or experiential roles. This can interact with voice, focus, or emphasis in certain languages and may be analyzed as a distinct binding pattern in some grammars.

Example: The teacher told the student to calm down for himself. Here, the reflexive pronoun refers to the indirect object (the student) rather than the subject (the teacher), illustrating an indirect reflexive usage.

See also: reflexive pronouns, binding theory, ditransitive constructions.