The multifaceted nature of the antipassive construction

The present chapter opens the volume by proving an overview of the antipassive construction from the typological perspective. After setting the scene by introducing the major theoretical concepts used in this volume, we consider various aspects of the formal and functional variation of the antipassive construction. First, we show how the antipassive construction varies among languages with respect to the realization of the P argument. We then discuss various aspects of the antipassive marker, including its dedicatedness and obligatoriness, as well as its syncretism with other functions. This chapter also zooms in on various functions performed by the antipassive. In addition to semantic, discourse-pragmatic and syntactic functions commonly recognized in the literature, we also address a less typical stylistic function. Another parameter of variation discussed is the productivity of the antipassive. Finally, this chapter addresses the question of various constructions which formally or functionally overlap with antipassive constructions. c 2021 John Benjamins Publishing Company.