Editing Causative (section)

==Semantics==
A language may have one or more different formal mechanisms for expression of causation. For languages with only one, the semantic range is broad. For those with multiple, there is always a semantic difference between the two.<ref name=Dixon/>{{rp|61}} [[R. M. W. Dixon]] breaks down these semantic differences into 9 parameters, involving the verb itself, the causee, and the causer:<ref name=Dixon/>{{rp|62–73}}

:(a) Parameters that relate to the verb itself
::*1. '''State/Action''': Can the causative apply to state and process verbs or does it apply to action verbs?
::*2. '''Transitivity''': Does the causative apply to only intransitives, to intransitives and some transitives, or to all verbs? 
:(b) Parameters that relate to the thing being caused (the original S or A)
::*3. '''Control''': Does the causee have control of the activity?
::*4. '''Volition''': Does the causee do the action willingly or unwillingly?
::*5. '''Affectedness''': Is the causee completely or partially affected?
:(c) Parameters that relate to the causer (the new A in a causative construction)
::*6. '''Directness''': Does the causer act directly or indirectly?
::*7. '''Intention''': Is the result achieved accidentally or intentionally?
::*8. '''Naturalness''': Does the activity happen fairly naturally or is it with effort, violence, or force?
::*9. '''Involvement''': How involved was the causer in the activity?

These parameters are not mutually exclusive. Many causative constructions involve the semantics of two or more parameters. However, the difference between the causatives in a language most likely will be distinguished by one of the parameters.