A Contrastive Analysis of Passive Voice of English and German Intransitive Verbs from the Perspective of Construal Theory

DOI: 10.5176/2251-3566_L317.107

Authors: Ying Yang

Abstract: English and German both belong to the West Germanic branch of Germanic family under Indo-European languages. The two languages have not only similarities but also differences in many ways. From the perspective of cognitive linguistics, either in English or German, the passive voice of intransitive verb is a special language phenomenon. The Construal Theory of Langacker's cognitive grammar will be used to contrast and analyse the differences and cognitive reasons for the passive voice of intransitive verbs in English and German from different dimensions of construal. The purpose of this analysis and the contrastive outcome is to help trilingual learners comprehensively and profoundly understand the two languages.

Keywords: passive voice of intransitive verbs; contrast of English and German; Construal Theory