This section summarises the rules for the annotation of the expressions se (=self / one another) and si (=self / one another) expressed at surface level. The expressions se (=self / one another) and si (=self / one another) can have various meanings in the sentence and their annotation varies accordingly.
We distinguish:
the expressions "se" and "si" as components of verbs..
The expressions se (=self / one another) and si (=self / one another) are components of verbs:
in the case of reflexive verbs (reflexiva tantum).
The expressions se (=self / one another) and si (=self / one another) are unmotivated components of the verb. The verbs cannot be used without these expressions.
Examples: bát se (=to fear), usmát se (=to laugh), snažit se (=to try), stěžovat si (=to complain).
in inherently reciprocal verbs.
With inherently reciprocal verbs a degree of active involvement in an action by a second argument can always be assumed. Here, the verbs cannot be used otherwise than with the expression se, si. On inherently reciprocal verbs see also Section 2.4.2, "Reciprocity".
Examples: setkat se (=to meet), hádat se (=to argue), prát se (=to fight).
with inherently reflexive verbs.
In the given meaning an external originator of the action cannot be imagined; the verbs express involuntary action performed towards oneself. The verbs can be used without the expressions se or si, but then they do not signify involuntary action. Cf.:
Vlny se šíří prostorem. (=The waves are disseminated through space.)
Rozhlas šíří vlny prostorem. (=The radio station disseminates waves through space.)
Examples:
Spadl do vody a utopil se. (=He fell into the water and drowned.)
Větev se zlomila. (=The branch broke.)
Pytel se roztrhl. (=The bag split.)
Vlny se šíří prostorem. (=Waves spread through space.)
Celý rok se trápil. (=He suffered all year.)
expressions "se" and "si" contributing to the formation of certain Aktionsart .
The expressions se (=self / one another) and si (=self / one another) are often used in conjunction with other means (prefixes) to form certain specific meanings of verbs.
Examples: natahat se (=to become exhausted), napracovat se (=to work hard), zalyžovat si (=to have a ski), zatančit si (=to have a dance), zaposlouchat se (=to listen intently), dočíst se (=to (find out by) read(ing)), rozepsat se (=to get writing), upít se (=to drink oneself to death), vyběhat se (=to become worn out), pospat si (=to take a nap).
Annotation. The expressions se and si which are components of verbs are represented as parts of the t-lemmas of those verbs. The t-lemma of these verbs is complex and the expression se or si is joined to the t-lemma by an underscore character. See Section 3.1, "Multi-word t-lemma". A reference to the analytical node representing se or si expressed at surface level is introduced in the attribute a/aux.rf (see Section 1, "Relation between the tectogrammatical level and the lower levels").
expression "se" as a formal means of expressing the reflexive passive.
Examples:
Přirozený jazyk se popisuje formálními prostředky. (=Natural language is described by formal means.)
Tancovalo se až do rána. (=Dancing went on until morning)
Diskutovalo se o novém objevu. (=The new discovery was discussed.)
Annotation. The basic rule for annotation of sentences with reflexive passives is to add a node for the general Actor. A new node with the t-lemma #Gen and with the functor ACT is added to the tectogrammatical tree. There is no reference leading to the analytical node representing se expressed at surface level from the tectogrammatical tree (see Section 1, "Relation between the tectogrammatical level and the lower levels").
the expression "se" as a formal means for the expression of dispositional modality.
Dispositional modality is described in Section 5.11, "The dispmod grammateme (dispositional modality)".
Examples:
Matematika se mu studuje dobře. (=He takes well to studying mathematics)
V téhle troubě se mi dobře peče. (=I can bake well in this oven.)
Annotation. Dispositional modality is represented by the value disp1 in the grammateme dispmod in the node representing the governing verb of the clause. There is no reference leading to the analytical node representing se expressed at surface level from the tectogrammatical tree (see Section 1, "Relation between the tectogrammatical level and the lower levels").
the expressions "se" and "si" as a formal means for the expression of reciprocity.
In verbs governing the accusative the reciprocal relation at surface level is regularly signalled by the expression se. Cf.:
Petr potkal Pavla. (=Peter met Paul.)
Petr a Pavel se potkali. (=Peter and Paul met.)
On this, see also Section 2.4.2, "Reciprocity".
Annotation. The basic rule for the annotation of sentences with a reciprocal relation is to establish a new node with the t-lemma #Rcp. A reference to the analytical node representing se expressed at surface level is incorporated in this newly established node in the attribute a/lex.rf (sometimes also a/aux.rf) (see Section 1, "Relation between the tectogrammatical level and the lower levels").
the expression "se" as the formal consequence of expressing the Patient by means of the prepositional phrase "s+7".
In verbs where the accusative and the prepositional phrase s+7 compete for the expression of the Patient (or Addressee) (i.e. in transitive verbs), the surface level se is considered the formal consequence of the expression of the Patient by the prepositional phrase s+7. Cf.:
Petr potkal Pavla. (=Peter met Paul.)
Petr se potkal s Pavlem. (=Peter met Paul.)
On this, see also Section 2.4.2, "Reciprocity".
Annotation. A reference to the analytical node representing se expressed at surface level (and also to the preposition s (=with)) is introduced in the attribute a/aux.rf at the node representing the prepositional phrase s+7. See Section 1, "Relation between the tectogrammatical level and the lower levels".
the expressions "se" and "si" as modifications.
The expressions se (=self / one another) and si (=self / one another) may also be modifications of the governing event in the sentence (verb, noun, adjective). They express reflexivisation of the event. They express the fact that the (nearest) subject of the event directs the event towards itself, that the event is performed to the dis/advantage of that subject.
Examples:
Nakreslil se . (=He sketched himself.)
Viděl se v zrcadle. (=He saw himself in the mirror.)
Zaměřuje se jen na sebe . (=He /She focuses only on himself /herself.)
Oholil se . (=He shaved (himself).)
Koupil si auto. (=He bought himself a car.)
Annotation. The expressions se (=self / one another) and si (=self / one another) which are modifications, are represented in the tectogrammatical tree by separate nodes with the t-lemma substitute #PersPron. In the attribute a/lex.rf (or a/aux.rf) at this node a reference is incorporated to the analytical node representing the expression se or si expressed at surface level (see Section 1, "Relation between the tectogrammatical level and the lower levels").
!!! Between the respective types there exist broad transitional zones. In future, therefore, more precise distinguishing criteria will be required.