Glossary of Linguistic Terms

Experiencer As A Semantic Role

Definition: 

Experiencer is the semantic role of an entity (or referent) which

  • receives
  • accepts
  • experiences, or
  • undergoes the effect of an action.
Discussion: 

Normally an experiencer is an entity that receives a sensory impression, or in some other way is the locus of some event or activity that involves neither volition nor a change of state.

Examples: 

(English)

He was scared.

Lucretia saw the bicycle.

It was Bill who smelled the bacon first.

The explosion was heard by everyone.