John Benjamins Publishing Company
Constructions do not cross Languages
Abstract
In research on bilingualism it is often assumed that linguistic structures can be shared across languages. The emphasis on generalization and categorization in construction grammar also seems to imply that speakers can develop cross-linguistic representations. This contribution argues that generalizations can occur only on the semantic level. Data from typologically distinct languages shows that generalizations over form are not likely to play a role in language processing. It is further argued that neither syntactical nor grammatical form is needed in order to explain syntactic transfer.
Abstract
In research on bilingualism it is often assumed that linguistic structures can be shared across languages. The emphasis on generalization and categorization in construction grammar also seems to imply that speakers can develop cross-linguistic representations. This contribution argues that generalizations can occur only on the semantic level. Data from typologically distinct languages shows that generalizations over form are not likely to play a role in language processing. It is further argued that neither syntactical nor grammatical form is needed in order to explain syntactic transfer.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
-
Introduction
- Reflections on Constructions across Grammars 1
- On the borrowability of subject pronoun constructions in Turkish–Dutch contact 7
- On the universality of frames 35
- Phonological elements and Diasystematic Construction Grammar 67
- Clause combining across grammars 97
- Constructional tolerance 131
- Constructions do not cross Languages 169
- Index 203
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
-
Introduction
- Reflections on Constructions across Grammars 1
- On the borrowability of subject pronoun constructions in Turkish–Dutch contact 7
- On the universality of frames 35
- Phonological elements and Diasystematic Construction Grammar 67
- Clause combining across grammars 97
- Constructional tolerance 131
- Constructions do not cross Languages 169
- Index 203
