Serial Verb Constructions in Dyirbal

Both symmetrical and asymmetrical types of serial verb constructions can be recognized for the Australian language Dyirbal; all verbs in a serial verb construction agree in surface transitivity and inflection. Criteria for recognizing serial verb constructions are discussed (including difficulties that arise in the context of purposive constructions), as well as the types of verbs taking part in these constructions, techniques for transitivity matching, inflectional possibilities, the occurrence of derivational suffixes and reduplication, and the range of meanings conveyed.