Microsoft Word Schmid et al. (XXXX) lcm kodierung doc

Interpretive Action Verbs (IAV) 
Interpretive Action Verbs also refer to observable events in a situational context, but they require 
additional interpretation and typically evaluation. Verbs like to help, to hurt, to cheat, to 
encourage abstract from the concrete manner of helping, hurting, and so on; they interpret a 
specific behavior as belonging to a class of behaviors. While the meaning of DAVs relies heavily 
on context, phrases with IAVs already possess an autonomous, context-independent meaning. 
Defining features: 
Observable event 
Single behavioral event 
Autonomous comprehension 
Refer to a class of behaviors 
Characteristic features 
Interpretation beyond description 
”Raeder (...) stealthily built up (IAV) the German Navy in defiance of the Versailles Treaty, and 
then put it to use (IAV) in a series of aggressions which he had taken a leading part (IAV) in 
planning (IAV).” (IMT-USA, p.416). 
”... it is something we do not dispute (IAV),” (E & P, p.26) 
”Once the Warrior struggled (IAV) back into the ring, Sarge opened up (IAV) with a barrage of 
painful tactics.” (WWF, p.23) 
”He worshipped (IAV) this new angel with a furtive eye, till he saw (SV) that she had discovered 
him; then he pretended (IAV) he did not know she was present, and began to ‘show off’ (IAV) in all 
sorts of absurd boyish ways to win (IAV) her admiration.” (CB-TS, p.22) 
When trying to distinguish IAVs and DAVs the characteristic feature of valence can be helpful: 
IAVs usually have valence while DAVs do not. 
Another difficulty might arise from metaphorical uses: 
”He dropped a hint” (IAV, not DAV) 

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”... German Forces struck the first blows (metaphorical, IAV), without warning (IAV), across the 
borders of other nations.” (IMT-USA, p.421) 
Some further examples, taken from the field of interpersonal violence: 
DAVs: to hit, to stab, to throttle, to shoot 
IAVs: to kill, to maim.