Agent Meaning in the Derived words of Persian

This article deals with the question of the origin of the meaning of agent in the Persian derived words. For this purpose، first، the three major approaches to this question are introduced and assessed. The analysis of data from Persian exhibits that in spite of the three approaches، the agent meaning cannot be considered to have been taken from the theta role of the external argument of the base. Having this point in mind، two other possible origins are then proposed for this concept in derivational words: the meaning of the affix independent of the argument structure of the base، and the morphological structure of the derivational words examined. Finally، presenting evidence of derivation and compounding in Persian، the meaning of the affix itself is introduced as the origin of the meaning of agent in this group of words.