
Constructionalization and Constructional Changes
Oxford University Press
Published on 7. November 2013
Book
Hardback
304 pages
978-0-19-967989-8 (ISBN)
Description
Elizabeth Closs Traugott and Graeme Trousdale develop an approach to language change based on construction grammar. Construction grammar is a theory of signs construed at the level of the phrase, clause, and complex sentence. Until now it has been mainly synchronic. The authors use it to reconceptualize grammaticalization (the process by which verbs like to have lose semantic content and gain grammatical functions, or word order moves from discourse-prominent to syntax-prominent), and lexicalization (in which idioms become fixed and complex words simplified). Basing their argument on the notions that language is made up of language-specific form-meaning pairings and that there is a gradient between lexical and grammatical constructions, Professor Traugott and Dr Trousdale suggest that language change proceeds by micro-steps that involve closely related changes in syntax, morphology, phonology, semantics, pragmatics, and discourse functions. They illustrate their exposition with numerous English examples drawn from Anglo-Saxon times to the present, many of which they discuss in depth.
The book is organized in six chapters. The first outlines the approach and the questions to be addressed. The second reviews usage-based models of language change. The third considers the relation between grammatical constructionalization and grammaticalization. Chapters 4 and 5 focus respectively on lexical constructionalization and the role of context. The final chapter draws the authors' arguments together and outlines prospects for further research. Constructionalization and Constructional Changes propounds and demonstrates a new and productive approach to historical linguistics.
The book is organized in six chapters. The first outlines the approach and the questions to be addressed. The second reviews usage-based models of language change. The third considers the relation between grammatical constructionalization and grammaticalization. Chapters 4 and 5 focus respectively on lexical constructionalization and the role of context. The final chapter draws the authors' arguments together and outlines prospects for further research. Constructionalization and Constructional Changes propounds and demonstrates a new and productive approach to historical linguistics.
Reviews / Votes
[T]he qualitative framework presented in this monograph is without any doubt a most admirable synthesis of current historical analysis within the framework of construction grammar, and will inspire nearly any linguist interested in language change. * Peter Petre, Diachronica * Constructionalization and Constructional Changes represents a highly inspiring contribution to studies on language change in general and to the budding filed of diachronic construction grammar in particular, in which it will definitely become a standard reference work. * Judith Huber, Functions of Language *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
617 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-967989-8 (9780199679898)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Elizabeth Closs Traugott | Graeme Trousdale
Constructionalization and Constructional Changes
Book
07/2016
Oxford University Press
€51.36
Shipment within 15-20 days

Elizabeth Closs Traugott | Graeme Trousdale
Constructionalization and Constructional Changes
E-Book
11/2013
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€26.49
Available for download
Persons
Elizabeth Traugott is Professor Emerita of Linguistics and English at Stanford University. Her many publications include Grammaticalization (1993 with Paul Hopper, revised ed. 2003), Regularity in Semantic Change (2002 with Richard Dasher), and Lexicalization and Language Change (2005 with Laurel Brinton).
Graeme Trousdale is senior lecturer in English Language at the University of Edinburgh. His publications include An Introduction to English Sociolinguistics (2010) and The Oxford Handbook of Construction Grammar (2013, co-edited with Thomas Hoffmann).
Graeme Trousdale is senior lecturer in English Language at the University of Edinburgh. His publications include An Introduction to English Sociolinguistics (2010) and The Oxford Handbook of Construction Grammar (2013, co-edited with Thomas Hoffmann).
Content
1. The Framework ; 2. A Usage-based Approach to Sign Change ; 3. Grammatical Constructionalization ; 4. Lexical Constructionalization ; 5. Contexts for Constructionalization ; 6. Review and Future Prospects ; References ; Index of Constructions Author Index ; Index of Subject Matter ; Author Index