On the form and function of reflexives in artificial languages

This paper explores issues in relation to the form and function of reflexive pronouns which a language designer should take into consideration in the construction of an artificial language grammar. The first main part of the paper deals with the rather complex and versatile nature of reflexive pronouns in natural languages, discussing reflexives in terms of syntactic and discourse function, morphemic structure, lexical specification for phi-features, subject orientation, etc. Typological and functional aspects of reflexive pronouns in a number of existing artificial languages are considered in the next part of the paper. The final part addresses the question of what would be the optimal reflexive pronoun from the perspective of artificial language construction. It is proposed that any component of an artificial language grammar, including the reflexive pronoun, would inevitably be a compromise between simplicity of form and function on the one hand, and clarity on the other. It is also suggested that, as artificial languages are by their very nature non-primary languages, designers of artificial languages should take into account essential properties of second language acquisition and use.