Constructions and Language Change

Studies in diachronic linguistics increasingly acknowledge that linguistic change is highly context-dependent and somehow tied to constructions as linguistic units. This is the first volume to investigate the role of constructions and the potential of constructional approaches in linguistic change. The contributions in this volume comprise both theoretical and empirical studies, all of which are accessible for a general audience. While some contributions explicitly aim at comparing and unifying concepts from both traditional grammatical theories and recent construction grammar approaches, others offer detailed case studies of exemplary problems from a constructional point of view. The papers offer a cross-linguistic perspective and deal with a number of different language families, ranging from Germanic to Austronesian.

Autorentext

Alexander Bergs, Osnabrück University, Germany; Gabriele Diewald, Hannover University, Germany.

Klappentext

TRENDS IN LINGUISTICS is a series of books that open new perspectives in our understanding of language. The series publishes state-of-the-art work on core areas of linguistics across theoretical frameworks, as well as studies that provide new insights by approaching language from an interdisciplinary perspective. TRENDS IN LINGUISTICS considers itself a forum for cutting-edge research based on solid empirical data on language in its various manifestations, including sign languages. It regards linguistic variation in its synchronic and diachronic dimensions as well as in its social contexts as important sources of insight for a better understanding of the design of linguistic systems and the ecology and evolution of language. TRENDS IN LINGUISTICS publishes monographs and outstanding dissertations as well as edited volumes, which provide the opportunity to address controversial topics from different empirical and theoretical viewpoints. High quality standards are ensured through anonymous reviewing. To discuss your book idea or submit a proposal, please contact Birgit Sievert.

Zusammenfassung

"In summary, the volume as a whole focuses on a series of issues pertinent to linguists interested in the specific application of construction grammars (or some general insights on language provided by construction grammars) to patterns of language change, most particularly, though not exclusively, to the related and debated processes of grammaticalization and degrammaticalization. The editors are to be congratulated for providing such a useful and insightful collection of articles. The volume certainly has the potential to stimulate further work in this developing area of historical linguistics research."
Graeme Trousdale in: Language 6/2011